Intensive talks on extension of ceasefire
Shortly before the end of the ceasefire in the Gaza war, intensive negotiations on an extension took place on Wednesday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to "do everything in our power to extend the ceasefire". According to its own statements, the Islamist Hamas was working hard on a possible extension, as a spokesman told the news channel Al-Jazeera. On Wednesday evening, another 10 Israeli hostages were to be released by Hamas in return for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
However, it was not yet clear in the early evening whether the talks on extending the ceasefire would be successful. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a statement that fighting would resume when "this phase of the return of our hostages is complete". He also reaffirmed once again that he intends to stick to the war goal of destroying Hamas.
A ceasefire has been in place since last Friday, during which hostages taken to the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners from Israel were exchanged. The ceasefire was recently extended by two days. Without a further extension, it would probably expire on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, several Palestinians were killed in the West Bank as part of an Israeli counter-terrorism operation.
Blinken: Continuation of the ceasefire also in the interests of the Israelis
"In the coming days, we will concentrate on doing everything in our power to extend the ceasefire so that we can continue to free more hostages and provide more humanitarian aid," said US Secretary of State Blinken on Wednesday after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. At the same time, he said, discussions would be held with Israel on how the country could achieve the goal of ensuring that terrorist attacks like the one on October 7 never happen again.
Blinken also expressed his conviction that the continuation of the ceasefire was also in the interests of the Israelis. "They are also intensely focused on getting their people home," said the American, referring to the Israeli hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.
According to Blinken, he will be back in Israel this Thursday to hold talks with the government. It will be his third visit since the start of the conflict.
Hamas: ready to release more hostages
They are working "very hard" with the mediators Qatar and Egypt to reach a "compromise" and extend the ceasefire, Hamas spokesman Ghasi Hamad told the news channel Al-Jazeera on Wednesday. The situation is complicated and constantly changing, but he is optimistic about a possible extension. "We are ready to free more hostages for an extension of the ceasefire" for another few days.
According to the original agreement between the warring parties, the ceasefire could be extended for a maximum of up to ten days to allow for the further release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. So far, 81 hostages have been released during the ceasefire. In return, Israel has so far released 180 Palestinians from its prisons.
Steinmeier asks Qatar for further mediation for hostage release
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier asked the leadership of Qatar to continue its efforts to secure the release of the German hostages held by Hamas. "After these talks, I am certain that Qatar will do everything in its power to contribute to the release of the German hostages," Steinmeier said on Wednesday in Qatar after a meeting with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Emirate is one of the most important mediators between Israel and Hamas in the conflict.
The latest Gaza war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, committed by terrorists from the Gaza Strip on October 7 in Israel near the border. More than 1200 people were killed. Around 240 hostages were taken to Gaza, including several Germans. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a blockade of the Gaza Strip. At the end of October, its armed forces began a ground offensive. According to Hamas, almost 15,000 people were killed and more than 36,000 injured. The figures cannot be independently verified.
Hamas: Two Russian hostages handed over to the Red Cross
According to Hamas, it has handed over two Russian hostages to the Red Cross. The two hostages were released following efforts by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hamas announced on Wednesday. They were to be handed over by the Red Cross to representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The release of the two women is not part of the agreement on the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Following Hamas' attack on Israel, Russia criticized the USA in particular and declared its attempt to resolve the Middle East conflict a failure. The Kremlin offered itself as a mediator, which on the one hand has traditionally good relations with the Arab world, but is also close to Tel Aviv due to the large number of Israelis with a Russian past.
Israel: Senior Islamic Jihad commander killed
While the guns were silent in Gaza, Israel reportedly carried out an anti-terrorist operation in the West Bank in which a commander of Islamic Jihad was killed. On Wednesday, soldiers fired on a building in the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank where Mohammed Subeidi and other extremists were staying, the military announced.
The army had arrested a total of 17 wanted Palestinians. Numerous weapons, explosive devices, ammunition and military equipment were found. There were confrontations and exchanges of fire during the arrests. Explosive devices were thrown at the troops, who responded with live ammunition.
According to Palestinian reports, two boys aged eight and 15 were also killed by the Israeli military in Jenin on Wednesday. An Israeli army spokesman said the reports were being investigated. It initially remained unclear whether it was the same operation.
The Gaza war, marked by intense conflicts between Israel and Hamas, has seen a temporary ceasefire, with negotiations underway for its extension. The US and Hamas are both actively pursuing an extension to allow for the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid.
Despite the ongoing talks, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that fighting will resume once the current hostage exchange phase is complete, reaffirming his commitment to destroying Hamas.
Source: www.dpa.com
