There is still no sign of an agreement in the ongoing negotiations in the Gaza war about a new ceasefire and the release of further hostages. The talks are being made difficult, among other things, by disagreement within the leadership of the Islamist Hamas, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday night, citing people familiar with the negotiations. Accordingly, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Jihia al-Sinwar, is now ready to accept a proposal for an initial six-week ceasefire. The Hamas political leadership, which lives in exile, is demanding more concessions and wants to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
According to media reports, the intelligence chiefs of the USA, Israel, Egypt and Qatar recently negotiated a draft for a possible agreement in Paris that would initially provide for a six-week ceasefire and a gradual release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s war cabinet has not yet approved the proposal either. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he does not want to agree to an agreement “at any price”. The war will not be ended, the troops will not be withdrawn and “thousands of terrorists” will not be released from prison for a hostage deal.
Hamas abducted more than 250 hostages to the Gaza Strip in its unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th. It is estimated that more than 130 people are still in their power. Relatives in Israel are strongly urging Netanyahu’s right-wing government to negotiate a new deal to release the abductees.
