“Intention to negotiate the release of 35 patients and elderly hostages”
Israel rejects negotiations, recent change in mood
The White House coordinator appears to have put pressure on him during his visit.
The second Paris four-party meeting for Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations will be held on the 23rd (local time).
On the 22nd, the New York Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that high-ranking officials from Israel, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt are scheduled to meet in Paris on the 23rd to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The meeting is expected to be attended by Israeli Mossad Director David Barnea, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Egyptian National Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told the NYT that there were indications that both Hamas and Israel were willing to negotiate over a possible exchange of Palestinian prisoners for 35 medically vulnerable or elderly Israeli hostages. Palestinian numbers have not been confirmed.
Hamas said on the 20th that a delegation led by Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss efforts to end the war with Egyptian officials.
Then, two days later, a statement was released, saying that Haniye met with Director Kamel and his staff. He explained that the main agenda of the meeting was ▲ending the war, ▲returning refugees, ▲expanding humanitarian aid, ▲exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages, and ▲restricting visits to Israel’s Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.
Ceasefire negotiations for the release of hostages have failed to achieve any breakthrough since the Cairo meeting last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stubbornly rejected Hamas’ demands, calling them absurd and unacceptable.
However, on the 21st, a change in atmosphere was detected when Minister Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, expressed expectations that there were signs of progress in hostage negotiations.
Israel’s war cabinet then unanimously approved sending a negotiation delegation to Paris on the 22nd.
It is interpreted that Israel decided to attend the meeting as Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East and North Africa Coordinator who is visiting Israel, encouraged participation in the negotiations.
“Discussions are progressing well,” said John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser. “(McGurk) is focused on whether the ceasefire can be extended to bring all the hostages home, reduce violence, and allow for more humanitarian aid.” “I got it right,” he explained.
After meeting with coordinator McGurk, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “(The cabinet) will expand the authority given to the negotiating parties.”
It is understood that Coordinator McGurk also pressed Israel regarding its military plans for Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip.
Advisor Kirby emphasized, “There is no change in our view that the operation in Rafah will be a disaster unless sufficient consideration is given to the safety and security of more than a million refugees and there is no credible implementation plan.”
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.