Israel and Hamas continued indirect talks on a ceasefire on Wednesday, but “the gap is still wide” due to “intractable positions” on both sides, especially on two important issues, according to what the newspaper reported.The New York Times“.
The newspaper quoted officials familiar with the talks as saying that the dispute centered on the duration of the cessation of fighting and the fate of Hamas leaders in Gaza.
A week-long truce in November allowed the release of more than 100 hostages kidnapped in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. 240 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of that deal. Since then, both sides have taken seemingly intractable positions to conclude another such agreement.
The talks progressed intermittently, as the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad met with Qatari officials in both Qatar and Europe. Many Hamas political leaders reside in Qatar. Egypt, bordering the Gaza Strip, also played a major role.
Brokers have floated multiple plans over the past few weeks, with no clear progress so far. The duration of the proposed ceasefire ranged from weeks to months.
Reports that some of the proposals had been leaked to the press sparked controversy in Israel, where right-wing politicians said they would oppose the plans, which they said would end the war prematurely.
Brett McGurk, the White House’s chief Middle East coordinator, returned to the region on Sunday to work on the release of the hostages, according to two American officials who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity.
Hamas says that they will release the remaining hostages in Gaza, who are believed to number more than 100, but within the framework of a comprehensive ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he will not accept any agreement for a permanent ceasefire that leaves Hamas. controls Gaza.
Under a recent framework for reaching an agreement, the mediators proposed the gradual release of the remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of achieving a stable ceasefire, a senior Western diplomat and a regional diplomat told the New York Times.
What are the main sticking points?
The newspaper reports that the biggest obstacle to the negotiations is whether the ceasefire will be temporary or permanent.
Reuters quoted three sources as saying that Israel and Hamas had largely agreed in principle to the possibility of exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners during a month-long truce.
Two diplomats told the New York Times that Israeli officials have indicated they might consider a permanent ceasefire if the Hamas leadership in Gaza leaves the Strip and goes into exile.
Hamas officials rejected this idea, and Hossam Badran, a Hamas leader, told the newspaper in a text message: “Hamas and its leaders are on their land in Gaza,” adding, “We will not leave.”
Another potential obstacle, according to the newspaper, was Netanyahu’s November request for the Mossad to “act against Hamas leaders wherever they are,” which raised concerns within Hamas about whether the leaders would be less safe outside Gaza.
The newspaper indicates that there is another main negotiating track related to the future of the Gaza Strip after the war stops.
US President Joe Biden administration officials said they hope that the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, will return to control Gaza. American officials want to see the two areas included in the future Palestinian state.
Netanyahu has largely ruled out the return of the Palestinian Authority to ruling Gaza, at least in its current form.
To complicate matters further, the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, faces severe internal challenges. Opinion polls regularly show that most Palestinians want Abbas to resign. He was last elected to a four-year term in 2005, and his critics accuse him of presiding over an increasingly authoritarian regime that has failed to end Israeli rule.
Intensive mediation efforts led by Qatar, Washington and Egypt in the past few weeks have focused on a gradual approach to releasing different categories of Israeli detainees, starting with civilians and ending with soldiers, in exchange for a cessation of hostilities, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of more aid into Gaza.
On Tuesday, the White House reported that “serious” talks were taking place about a possible new “truce” in Gaza that would allow the release of hostages held in the Strip.
The National Security Council spokesman at the White House said on Tuesday that Biden’s Middle East affairs advisor, Brett McGurk, is visiting the region to hold talks in this regard.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that McGurk “is in Cairo” on Tuesday, and will make other visits to the region, adding that “one of the issues he is discussing is the possibility of reaching a new agreement to release the hostages, which would require a humanitarian truce for a period of time.” “certain.”
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2024-01-25 02:55:53
