War in the Middle East
Report: Israel and Hamas continue to negotiate
The US, Egypt and Qatar should pressure Israel and Hamas into a gradual diplomatic process. According to media reports, negotiations are ongoing in the background – Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ conditions. photo
© Miriam Alster/POOL Flash 90/AP/dpa
Is an end to the war in Gaza in sight? Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’s terms. But according to a report, negotiations continue in the background.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ conditions. The Islamists are demanding an end to the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces and the continued government power of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in order to release the more than 130 hostages, Netanyahu said. They also called for the release of the “murderers and rapists” whom Israel arrested after the brutal attack by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7th. “If we agreed to this, our soldiers would have died in vain,” said Netanyahu. Then we would be “unable to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Israel and Hamas are at least ready to talk again after talks stalled for weeks following the end of a ceasefire at the end of November, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing circles familiar with the talks. During the week-long ceasefire, 105 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. The willingness of both sides to talk about the framework conditions is a positive step, the US newspaper quoted a source as saying. The mediators were now working to bridge the gap.