Israel and Hamas call for resumption of ceasefire negotiations
In a joint statement signed by the Emir of Qatar and the Presidents of the USA and Egypt, it was stated that a framework agreement is "now on the table, with only the details of implementation to be clarified". Returning to the negotiating table is necessary "to close all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without further delay".
It was further stated that the mediators are ready to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining questions on implementation in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.
For months, Qatar, Egypt, and the USA have been conducting behind-the-scenes negotiations to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages still being held there. The talks are focused on a plan proposed by Israel, which US President Joe Biden presented in May. It is now time to conclude the agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, it was stated. "There is no more time to lose".
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently agreed to resume negotiations. Israel will send a delegation to the agreed-upon location on August 15 to finalize the details of implementing an agreement.
However, a US government representative dampened expectations of a swift agreement. "It's not as if the agreement will be ready to sign on Thursday", he said. There is still much work to be done. Israel has been very open to the talks, the US government representative continued, dismissing speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is dragging out an agreement.
So far, only a one-week ceasefire has been achieved in November, during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Recently, the conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly. Last week, former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, with Hamas and Iran blaming Israel. The current Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri described Haniyeh's killing as a "strategic mistake" by Israel. Haniyeh's successor is the current Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, who is considered the mastermind behind the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.
Israel has not commented further on Haniyeh's killing. Hours earlier, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, the highest-ranking commander of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Iran and Hezbollah threatened retaliation.
However, the spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby, expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. An agreement is "closer than ever".
Meanwhile, the USA, in light of the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, has deployed stealth bombers of the F-22 type to the Middle East. The Central Command of the US Armed Forces (Centcom) responsible for the region did not disclose where the aircraft were deployed or how many there were.
Meanwhile, according to the Hamas-controlled Civil Defense Authority in the Gaza Strip, at least 18 people were killed and 60 injured in Israeli attacks on two schools in the city of Gaza. The Israeli military explained that the schools were being used by Hamas as command centers from which attacks were planned and carried out.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip was sparked by an unprecedented large-scale attack by Hamas fighters and other militant Palestinian groups on Israel on October 7th. According to Israeli reports, 1198 people were killed. Additionally, 251 people were taken hostage and brought into the Gaza Strip.
In response, Israel has since been conducting large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to reports from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified, over 39,600 people have been killed.
In a Thursday interview published by the U.S. magazine "Time", Netanyahu expressed his regret that Israel was not adequately protected against the large-scale attack. "I deeply regret this," he said. However, he once again avoided taking personal responsibility for the insufficient protective measures.
The Commission, consisting of the mediators, is prepared to present a final proposal to resolve the remaining implementation questions, ensuring all parties' expectations are met. Following the joint statement by the Emir of Qatar, President of the USA, and President of Egypt, The Commission will play a crucial role in finalizing the details of implementing the ceasefire agreement and hostage release.
