On the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting in Saudi Arabia there will be talks about the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas is considering a new Israeli proposal.
There are apparently signs of progress in the negotiations regarding the release of further Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip and a possible ceasefire. “There is some movement in the talks about the hostages and a possible way out of the impasse we find ourselves in,” said Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Discussions are planned there in parallel to an economic forum on Sunday and Monday. Among those involved are the foreign ministers of the USA, Great Britain, Germany and several Arab countries as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan had assembled a “good group,” Brende told reporters.
Political conversations on the sidelines World Economic Forum
The “main players” would meet in Riyadh, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will probably visit Riyadh on Sunday. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country, together with Egypt and the USA, is mediating between the Islamist terrorist group Hamas and Israel, is also expected. Israel will not take part, said Brende.
The Open Forum, a WEF economic conference on, among other things, the environment, health and finance, will take place in Riyadh on Sunday and Monday. In addition to the political discussions taking place parallel to the forum, many issues relating to the situation in the Gaza Strip need to be discussed. This includes the reconstruction of the coastal area, which was largely destroyed, which will cost “billions”. In addition, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is still impaired due to the attacks from Yemen.
Baerbock takes part in talks on the Middle East war
The talks about the war in the Middle East, in which Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will also take part, are planned for Monday. Arab foreign ministers had already wanted to find a “united Arab position” and also consulted with a representative of the Palestinian Authority – presumably Abbas. However, it was said that he would not take part in the ministerial meeting with Western countries.
Blinken will also meet Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The US had held talks with Saudi Arabia about its possible normalization of relations with Israel, which were suspended after the start of the Middle East war. However, the Crown Prince continued to express his country’s “great interest” in it. According to reports, the kingdom hopes in return for security guarantees from the USA and help in setting up a civilian nuclear program.
Hamas considers new Israeli proposal
Meanwhile, Hamas says it has received a new proposal from Israel for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. “Hamas will examine this proposal and provide a response,” wrote senior Hamas official Chalil Al-Hajaer in a message shared on Telegram. He did not provide further details about the Israeli proposal.
Israel is putting Hamas under increasing time pressure in the indirect negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and, according to media reports, is threatening the announced ground offensive in the city of Rafah.
According to Egypt, a “multi-stage plan” is being discussed
Egypt recently increased its mediation efforts. A “new idea” for an extended ceasefire was discussed at negotiations in Israel on Friday, an Egyptian official said. In addition to a prisoner exchange, a multi-stage plan envisages the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip – “with minimal restrictions.” An agreement could pave the way for further negotiations on a more comprehensive agreement to end the war.
Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal and the return of displaced Palestinians. Israel rejects this and wants to continue its campaign until Hamas is defeated. It then wants to remain present in the Gaza Strip.