Gaza War - US-Government: Negotiations over Hostage Deal in Final Phase
The U.S. government remains optimistic during talks about a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and sees the negotiations entering the "final phase." A high-ranking U.S. government official stated, "It's time to come to an agreement." There have been progress in the talks, and it is believed that the differences can be overcome.
"There are some things we need from the Israeli side, no question," the official said. However, there are also "some important things" that only lie in the hands of the islamist Hamas, because they are holding hostages.
The agreement on the table corresponds essentially to what the Israelis have demanded, according to the government representative. "And now we need some things from Hamas to move forward." He expects much movement in the coming week, he said. "These are not insurmountable problems."
In the sealed-off Gaza Strip, around 120 hostages are still believed to be missing, many of whom may no longer be alive. In talks about an agreement, Hamas had recently shown more flexibility. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made new demands - for example, a longer presence of Israeli troops at strategic locations in Gaza. Due to these new demands, there has been little movement in the talks recently.
Netanyahu is currently on a visit to the U.S. He is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday, and a meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is also planned. In a speech before the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu dismissed any criticism of his country's military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, is a key player in the ongoing conflicts in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The United States of America is actively involved in negotiations for a ceasefire, viewing the current talks as entering the final phase. However, the absence of some necessary elements from both parties, including Hamas holding hostages, is hindering progress.
The United States is pushing for agreements that align with Israel's demands, believing that the major issues can be resolved. The Israeli side, led by Prime Minister Benzion Netanyahu, is currently in the United States of America, meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, to discuss these issues further.
Netanyahu's speech before the U.S. Congress defended Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, dismissing any criticism. Despite the progress made in negotiations, recent events, such as new demands from Israel for a prolonged presence of troops in strategic locations, have slowed down the pace of the talks.
The Hamas leaders, recognizing the importance of reaching an agreement, have shown more flexibility in recent talks. Regrettably, around 120 hostages are still believed to be missing within the sealed-off Gaza Strip, raising concerns about their survival. The hope is that the upcoming week will bring about significant movement in the truce negotiations, as the challenges are deemed surmountable.
