“We prepared a new negotiation plan, but Netanyahu rejected it.”
Arbitration Bureau “Negotiations are positive… “Continue for 3 more days”
Ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip for the release of Israeli hostages resumed, but the Israeli delegation returned home empty-handed without any significant breakthrough.
According to the Times of Israel (TOI) on the 14th (local time), an official from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the Israeli negotiating delegation was returning from Cairo, Egypt.
Officials from Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Cairo resumed hostage negotiations in Cairo the day before and intensively discussed a six-week ceasefire, but it is understood that no breakthrough was found.
The delegation consisted of Mossad Director David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and it was reported that they only listened to the positions of relevant countries during the negotiations under the instructions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Israeli public broadcaster Khan, Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Israel Defense Forces prepared a new framework for ceasefire negotiations, but Prime Minister Netanyahu eventually rejected it after several discussions. Afterwards, he instructed the negotiating delegation to “just listen in Cairo.”
The U.S. Axios reported, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, that a key issue in the negotiations is “how many Palestinian prisoners will be released per hostage.”
Hamas recently made a counteroffer, demanding the release of a total of 100 Israeli hostages and a total of 8,000 Palestinian prisoners. The targets also include 500 security criminals sentenced to life imprisonment in Israel.
In the week-long ceasefire negotiated at the end of November last year, 110 hostages and 210 Palestinian prisoners were released. Israel’s position is that Hamas’ demands are excessive.
U.S. President Joe Biden also acknowledged in a phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 11th that Hamas’ demands were excessive. However, Axios reported that Israel was also persuaded, saying there was room to show flexibility.
The mediating countries are positively evaluating the progress made in the negotiations. Egypt’s Al-Qahera News quoted a senior Egyptian official as reporting that although the Israeli delegation had left, negotiations were positive and would continue for three more days.
Egypt’s National Intelligence Service also said, “The meeting reviewed developments in the current situation,” adding, “Ongoing consultations and focused efforts to achieve a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and efforts (toward a two-state solution) in a manner that strengthens efforts to establish security and stability in the region.” “It was confirmed,” he said.
However, it was added that although Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah Sisi met with U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and increased aid, no breakthrough was achieved. .
A Hamas official told AFP that they were awaiting the results of the discussions and reaffirmed their previous position that they wanted a de facto permanent ceasefire, saying, “We are ready to discuss all initiatives that can end aggression and war.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.