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March 2, 2024
22:10 pm
Washington – AFP
An American official confirmed on Saturday that the fate of the proposed truce in Gaza depends on Hamas’s agreement to release “a specific category of hostages,” after Israel largely accepted the broad outlines of the agreement.
The official told reporters, requesting that his name not be revealed: “The ball is now in Hamas’ court,” adding, “The framework exists, and the Israelis have practically accepted it.” A six-week ceasefire could begin today in Gaza, if Hamas agrees to release a specific category of hostages at risk.
A leading delegation from Hamas headed to Cairo on Saturday to hold new talks regarding the truce, according to a source close to the movement.
Qatar, the United States, and Egypt are continuing mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, seeking a truce before the start of the month of Ramadan on March 10 or 11, which would allow the release of hostages held inside the Gaza Strip and the entry of more aid.
After he expressed his hope that the truce would enter into force early next week, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the agreement would take longer, after dozens of Palestinians were killed while distributing aid in northern Gaza.
A source close to Hamas said: “A leading delegation from Hamas is expected to go to Cairo on Saturday evening, to meet with Egyptian officials supervising the ceasefire negotiations, and to follow up on developments in the negotiations seeking to stop the aggression and war and the prisoner exchange deal.”
He added: “The delegation will deliver the movement’s official response to the new Paris proposal.”
There is talk of a six-week truce, during which the movement will release 42 Israeli women and children under the age of 18, in addition to the sick and elderly, at a rate of one hostage per day in exchange for the release of ten Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. Hamas demands an increase in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza.
The war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has resulted in the death of 30,320 people, the majority of whom are women and children.
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2024-03-02 18:10:44
