By Luis De Jesus
Feb 25, 2024, 7:36 PM EST
Delegations from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Israel and Hamas terrorists resumed talks this Sunday in Qatar with the aim of reaching a truce in Gaza and facilitating an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Egyptian state television reported. Al Qahera News.
The meetings, according to sources close to Egyptian Intelligence cited by the network, are being conducted by specialists from Egypt and Qatar, the main mediators in the conflict in the strip, in addition to the United States, Israel and Hamas, the Efe news agency published. .
It was not specified, however, whether contacts are taking place directly between the warring parties.
An Egyptian security source, who requested anonymity from the agency, said that during negotiations this Sunday in Doha the possibility of reaching a ceasefire before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which will begin in two weeks, will be discussed.
The informant also mentioned that Hamas gave in on some of its demands, which Israel had previously opposed, to reach a truce. He also noted that “Israeli intransigence” to agree to a ceasefire persists.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, stated in an interview with the American network CBS that he will only accept a truce agreement if Hamas abandons its “delusional” demands, although he did not provide details about the Palestinian group’s demands.
The main difficulty in the negotiations lies in the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who would be released in exchange for the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza during the possible truce. This agreement would make it possible to begin a new phase of consultations for a permanent cessation of the war.
The talks in Doha represent a continuation of what was discussed at the recent meeting in Paris, according to Al Qahera Newsin reference to the consultations held on Friday and Saturday between mediators, Israel and the United States.
Egyptian security sources informed Efe, on condition of anonymity, that the meetings in Paris yielded positive results and are at an advanced stage to agree on a proposal of approximately six weeks. It must then be presented to Hamas for approval.
Despite the significant progress reported in the Paris negotiations on Friday, according to Israeli media, there is still a long way to go. The new draft contemplates a six-week truce and the release of some 40 hostages in exchange for the release of between 200 and 300 Palestinian prisoners.
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