But Michael, the brother of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, also stressed that “it is too early to say whether there is an agreement,” noting that “Hamas’ demands are greater than they were in the previous truce.”
He added: “They were hoping for a permanent ceasefire, but I hope that under the pressure of what we are doing on the ground, in addition to the pressure from the Qataris, they will agree to reach an agreement.”
The Israeli diplomat continued: “But it is too early to confirm this at this stage.”
On Tuesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog made almost the same statements to a group of envoys.
He explained: “I can reiterate the fact that Israel is ready for another humanitarian truce and additional humanitarian aid in order to enable the release of the hostages.”
Yitzhak continued: “The responsibility lies entirely with the head of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and the leadership of the movement.”
About a possible truce
- A source said that a meeting between the Prime Minister of Qatar and the directors of the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad) and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Warsaw, on Monday, to discuss the release of hostages held by Hamas was positive, but “there are no expectations of reaching an imminent solution.”
- Officials met in the Polish capital to discuss a possible new agreement to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for the possible release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, and a truce on humanitarian grounds.
- A source familiar with the diplomatic efforts told Reuters, “The talks were positive, and the negotiators explored and discussed various proposals in an attempt to make progress in the negotiations, but an agreement is not expected to be reached imminently.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday that he “sent the head of the Mossad to Europe twice for a hostage-release operation,” and added: “I will spare no effort in this matter and the demand is to return everyone.”
- Qatar and Egypt played the role of mediator between Israel and Hamas in an agreement that led to a week-long truce at the end of November, during which Hamas released more than 100 women, children and foreigners it was holding in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons.
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2023-12-20 06:35:03
