Mediators between the warring parties seek a truce agreement in the war. Gaza Strip before the start of the Islamic holy month of ramadanwhich is expected to begin on March 11, but so far there is no evolution in the negotiations.
“There is nothing concrete to announce” and “there is no evolution” in the negotiations, he said this Tuesday during his weekly appearance before the press in Doha the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Majed al-Ansari, who was blunt in stating that no more details could be given about the content of the meetings in the Qatari capital between Egyptian, Qatari and Palestinian Hamas delegations, on the one hand; and Israelis and Americans, on the other.
Words of optimism
However, optimism was reflected in Al Ansari’s words when he indicated that he hopes that “today or tomorrow there will be something” that can be announced and that “an agreement will be reached.”
«As I have said on several occasions, the month of Ramadan will undoubtedly be a point of confrontation and we are working for both sides to cease hostilities in Ramadan. “At this time there will also be some Jewish religious holidays,” which can create more conflict during those holy days, he said.
Optimism was also fueled by the American president, Joe Bidenwho told the press yesterday in NY that his National Security advisor told him that they are “close” to a truce.
“My hope is that by next Monday we will have a ceasefire”he asserted.
In this regard, Al Ansari pointed out that he cannot comment on that date and that the best thing would be to ask the White House.
Likewise, the Qatari official stressed that it is “painful” that humanitarian aid is a part of the negotiations, since the situation in the Palestinian enclave is a “violation of international law and norms.”
The Doha meetings are being held by groups of “experts and senior security officials” and are of a technical nature, sources close to the talks told EFE, who assured that meetings between the intelligence chiefs Qatar, Egypt, USA e Israel.
Possible hostage exchange
Meanwhile, Hamas is already studying a proposal to give the green light to the truce in Gaza, in which there would be a 40-day ceasefire, as well as the exchange of an Israeli hostage for ten Palestinian prisoners, sources close to EFE informed EFE this Tuesday. the negotiations.
According to sources from the Palestinian group in Egypt – a mediating country -, who requested anonymity, the proposal includes the release of all Israeli women, men over 50 years of age and children under 19 years of age in the hands of Hamas, as well as the sick, which in total would be 40 hostages.
On the Israeli side, 400 Palestinian prisoners will be released and will not be rearrested, according to the source, who added that during this ceasefire “the gradual return of civilians displaced to northern Gaza with the exception of elderly men will be allowed.” of military service.
Always according to the source, since Hamas has not officially announced it so far, the draft includes the repair of hospitals and bakeries in Gaza and 500 trucks with humanitarian aid will also be allowed to enter daily.
Likewise, it was indicated that the proposal that emerged from the recent dialogues in Paris is “American” and its purpose is “to give the Israeli prime minister more time to prepare a new attack”, alluding to the possible offensive against the Palestinian town of Rafahin the extreme south of the Palestinian enclave and bordering Egypt.
Since the war began, Israel and Hamas only reached a one-week truce agreement in late November, which allowed the release of 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
On October 7, Israel suffered the worst attack in its history perpetrated by Hamas that caused the death of some 1,200 people and led to the current war that has left almost 30,000 dead, most of them women and children, in Gaza. EFE (I)
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