Israel and Hamas negotiate ceasefire
The situation in the Gaza Strip is critical, the fighting between Hamas and Israel continues. Talks are now to take place between Hamas and Israel. In return for the release of several hostages, there is to be a ceasefire lasting several days. This could make it possible to provide better care for civilians on the ground.
Negotiations are underway in the Gaza war for the release of around a dozen hostages held by Hamas and a two to three-day ceasefire. Two Egyptian officials, a United Nations representative and a Western diplomat told the AP news agency. As these are sensitive diplomatic efforts, they wish to remain anonymous. The deal is for the release of 10 to 15 hostages in return for a 48 to 72-hour humanitarian pause.
According to AP, the agreement would allow more aid, including limited amounts of fuel, to reach the besieged area. That could improve current living conditions for the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped there. According to the officials and the diplomat, the agreement was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
One of the Egyptian officials said the details of the agreement were discussed this week in Cairo with the CIA chief and an Israeli delegation. A draft agreement is already being finalized, he said. A senior US diplomat also emphasized that the Biden administration had not proposed a specific timeframe for a pause in Israeli military operations, but suggested that Israel could link the duration of a pause to the release of a certain number of hostages.
If an agreement on the duration of the pause and the number of hostages to be released can be reached and the agreement successfully implemented, the same formula could be revisited for further pauses and releases, it added.
Further information on the Israeli war can be found here
The ceasefire discussions between Hamas and Israel aim to release several hostages, potentially leading to a respite of 48 to 72 hours. Despite the ongoing Israel war in the Gaza Strip, this ceasefire could facilitate improved aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, benefiting the 2.3 million Palestinians living under siege.
Source: www.ntv.de
