For weeks, mediators have been trying to bring about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israel and Hamas are generally open, but make accusations against each other. Now the talks are set to go into another round.
A week before the start of the fasting month of Ramadan, mediation efforts with Qatar and Egypt for a ceasefire in the Middle East war are apparently continuing. According to information from the Egyptian television station Al Qahera News TV, the talks will continue in Cairo today. There are still obstacles for which the Israeli side is responsible, a representative of the militant Islamist Hamas in Beirut, who did not want to be named, told the dpa news agency.
The main obstacle is the time limit for a possible ceasefire. Israel is maneuvering around the issue, it was said. Senior US government officials, however, said on Saturday that the framework for a possible agreement was in place and that the Israelis had “more or less accepted” it. The conclusion of an agreement now depends solely on Hamas.
Different Information on Israel’s participation
The Hamas representative, in turn, also said, according to the dpa news agency, that they were still in contact with the mediators and were striving to find a solution “to end the aggression against our people.” A separate delegation wants to take part in further mediation talks about a ceasefire in Cairo. According to the Egyptian television channel, Israeli representatives will also be there.
However, the news portal “Axios” reported on Friday evening that Israel did not want to take part in a new round of talks brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the USA as long as Hamas did not provide a list of the hostages still alive.
After 105 kidnapped people were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a week-long ceasefire in November, Israel estimates that there are currently around 100 living hostages in the hands of Hamas terrorists.
Ramadan starts in a week
According to media reports, the mediators suggested that a six-week ceasefire should come into force before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins on March 10, if possible. During this time, 40 Israeli hostages were to be exchanged for around 400 Palestinian prisoners.
On Monday, Israeli Minister Benny Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet, is expected at the White House for talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris, as reported by the New York Times, among others. Harris is expected to speak with Gantz about the urgency of a hostage agreement that would allow a temporary ceasefire and the need for more aid to civilians in Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in the sealed-off coastal strip has been deteriorating for weeks. Representatives of the United Nations recently warned in the Security Council of the starvation of thousands of civilians.
US military transport planes dropped around 38,000 meals on Saturday, according to the US military’s regional command. It was a joint operation with the Jordanian Air Force. Plans are underway for further such operations.