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Israel has rejected modifications demanded by Hamas to a Gaza ceasefire proposal as “unacceptable,” however Benjamin Netanyahu stated he was nonetheless sending a negotiating staff to Doha to start oblique talks geared toward halting the 21-month struggle.
The Israeli determination got here late on Saturday after a gathering of the prime minister’s safety cupboard. The assembly was convened to debate Hamas’s response to a proposal crafted by Qatar, the US, and Egypt that requires a 60-day ceasefire, the discharge of 28 Israeli hostages, and the beginning of talks over a everlasting finish to the battle.
“The modifications that Hamas is looking for to make within the Qatari proposal have been conveyed to us final night time and are unacceptable to Israel,” Netanyahu’s workplace stated in an announcement, earlier than including {that a} negotiating staff could be leaving on Sunday to start “proximity talks . . . for the return of our hostages.”
Israel stated it had accepted the unique proposal put ahead by the mediators.
Hamas stated on Friday it had delivered a “optimistic” response to the mediators and that it was “absolutely ready and critical about instantly coming into a brand new spherical of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
It stays unclear what modifications or clarifications the Palestinian militant group had requested.
Based on drafts seen by the Monetary Instances and confirmed by two individuals conversant in the negotiations, further talks are required to finalise the scope of Israel’s army withdrawal from Gaza throughout the two-month ceasefire, in addition to the quantity and identities of Palestinian prisoners meant to be launched from Israeli prisons in trade for the hostages.
Gaps are additionally believed to exist between the 2 opponents over the humanitarian assist mechanism for the besieged enclave, in addition to the extent of US ensures that the preliminary ceasefire will result in a everlasting finish to the struggle.
Netanyahu is ready to go away for Washington on Sunday, forward of a gathering on the White Home the subsequent day with US President Donald Trump, who has made clear his need for a ceasefire.
Trump stated late on Friday night time that he was “very optimistic” a deal could possibly be reached “subsequent week,” earlier than including “it modifications from day after day”.
Trump posted this week on his Fact Social media platform that he meant to be “very agency” with Netanyahu when he met with him, however issued a warning to Hamas: “I hope, for the nice of the Center East, that Hamas takes this Deal, as a result of it won’t get higher — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
Netanyahu is predicted to face opposition from far-right allies inside his governing coalition over any truce deal that halts the struggle in need of the entire “destruction” of Hamas.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, nationwide safety minister, demanded on social media platform X on Saturday night time that the Israeli army reconquer the whole lot of the enclave, halt the entry of all humanitarian assist, and encourage Gazans to “to migrate” out.
“I name on the Prime Minister to desert the trail of give up and return to the trail of victory,” he added.
Based on the draft proposals seen by the FT, Trump would “assure” that the battle be halted for 60 days, throughout which 10 residing Israeli hostages and the our bodies of 18 extra could be launched in 5 phases.
There are 50 hostages seized throughout Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault nonetheless in captivity, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
As a part of the settlement, “critical negotiations” to finish the struggle — a long-held Hamas demand — could be initiated on the primary day, with the mediators set to offer ensures to increase the truce ought to further time be wanted to achieve a everlasting ceasefire.
Netanyahu has persistently refused to decide to ending the struggle in Gaza till a “whole victory” over Hamas had been achieved. A shortlived ceasefire broke down earlier this yr, with the Israeli premier demanding Hamas’s full give up and the discharge of further hostages and the Palestinian group refusing to capitulate.
Talks over a everlasting finish to the combating, which have been mandated in that truce settlement, by no means received beneath means, and Israel renewed a devastating army offensive within the shattered territory in March.
