Despite Israel’s refusal to respond to the Islamist Hamas’ demand for an end to the fighting in Gaza as a condition for the release of hostages, negotiations are continuing in the background, according to a media report. As the Wall Street Journal reported, citing diplomatic circles, the United States, Egypt and Qatar are urging both sides to enter into a gradual diplomatic process. This provides for the release of hostages at the beginning and ultimately the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war. The negotiations should continue in Cairo in the coming days, it was said.
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.
