Israel sees “last chance” for hostage deal before attack on Rafah
New speculation about hostage deal – “Netanyahu feels forced to act”
20 to 33 hostages may be released from Hamas captors, says WELT TV reporter Max Hermes. Meanwhile, the US military has begun building a temporary pier for aid deliveries on the coast of the Gaza Strip, according to the Defense Department.
In Tel Aviv, negotiators are discussing the possible release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The chances are good, various media in the region reported. A Muslim country wants to put pressure on Hamas.
IAccording to media reports, Srael sees the latest efforts for a ceasefire and a hostage deal in the Gaza war as a “last chance” before the planned attack on the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. The talks between Egyptian and Israeli representatives in Tel Aviv on Friday were “very good” and focused, according to a senior Israeli official.
The Egyptians are apparently ready to put pressure on the Islamist Hamas to reach an agreement. Progress was made in all areas in the talks, the Times of Israel quoted relevant reports late on Friday evening. The state-affiliated Egyptian television station Al-Kahira News had previously reported significant progress.
Israel will not allow Hamas, particularly its Gaza leader Jihia al-Sinwar, to delay a hostage deal to prevent the planned military offensive in Rafah, the Israeli official was quoted as saying. A few days ago, the army mobilized two more reserve brigades.
Initially a limited agreement with Hamas
Al-Sinwar is considered to be the planner of the massacre in Israel on October 7th last year, as a result of which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 people were deported to Gaza. He is believed to be in tunnels beneath Rafah.
“This is the last chance before we go to Rafah,” the Times of Israel quoted the unnamed Israeli government official as saying. “Either an agreement in the near future or Rafah.” Israel wants to destroy the last remaining Hamas battalions in the southern city of Gaza, which borders Egypt. According to Israeli media, Egypt wants to reach an agreement to avert the attack in Rafah. Egypt is concerned that Palestinians could cross the border in large numbers.
Meanwhile, Hamas said it had received an official response from Israel to the radical Islamic Palestinian organization’s position in the ceasefire talks. The letter will be examined and a response will be submitted, Hamas’s deputy head in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, wrote in a statement.
New speculation about hostage deal – “Netanyahu feels forced to act”
20 to 33 hostages may be released from Hamas captors, says WELT TV reporter Max Hermes. Meanwhile, the US military has begun building a temporary pier for aid deliveries on the coast of the Gaza Strip, according to the Defense Department.
Source: WELT TV / Max Hermes
In Rafah, hundreds of thousands have sought refuge from the fighting in the rest of the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli media, the latest talks between Egyptian and Israeli representatives were initially about a limited agreement with Hamas, according to which only some female, elderly and sick hostages would be released.
Hamas rejected a US proposal to release 40 such abductees. According to her, there shouldn’t be as many hostages alive who fall into these categories. Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which the Israeli government rejects.