An hour-long phone call… Host talks discussed for about 45 minutes mediate countries in the final stages of talks amid the upcoming Rafah attack.
As Israel prepared to launch an attack on Rafah, the southernmost town in the Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suspended military operations in Rafah again.
According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 28th (local time), President Biden reiterated his clear opposition to Israel’s attack plan on Rafah in a phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu that day.
In a statement issued after the call, the White House said that President Biden reiterated this position and discussed continuing negotiations to obtain an immediate ceasefire in Gaza Strip and the release of enemies.
The White House said, “President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu also discussed increasing humanitarian aid, including preparations for the opening of a railroad crossing in northern Gaza to open this week,” saying, “President Biden emphasized the need for this progress to be sustained and strengthened through full cooperation with humanitarian agencies.” “I stressed it,” he explained.
According to one administration official, President Biden spent three-quarters of the hour-long phone call focusing on the relaxation and hospitality discussions. Although talks are not making progress, President Biden also agreed that Hamas is responsible.
It was also discussed that Hamas recently released a video showing hostages, including US citizens.
Israel and Hamas have made no progress in talks on the release of hostages since the ceasefire at the end of last November. Israel has accepted the six-week truce proposed by the United States for the release of about 40 hostages, but Hamas has refused, demanding a permanent truce.
Israel, which has completed all preparations for the Rafah attack, is pressuring Hamas to launch a ground operation in Rafah if it does not budge, saying this is its last chance for talks.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Israel’s negotiating team recently issued a strong warning to Hamas through Egypt, saying, “We must end negotiations soon or we will have to leave Rafah.” “
As signs show that a ground battle is imminent in Rafa, the mediating countries are making last-minute efforts to close the deal.
According to Politico, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari urged both Israel and Hamas to commit more seriously to ceasefire negotiations in an interview with Israeli media on the 27th.
According to the Qatari media outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, Egypt also plans to invite an Israeli delegation to Cairo on the 29th to coordinate the position of the two sides. Hamas is also known to be present at the talks.
A Hamas official, who requested anonymity, told AFP, “As long as Israel does not create new obstacles, the mood is positive,” and added, “There is no major problem between what has been proposed (Israel and Egypt) and submit their opinion. Hamas.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, plans to visit Jordan and Israel on the 1st of next month to discuss ceasefire negotiations, the extension of humanitarian aid , and a two-state solution.
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#Biden #Talks #Netanyahu.. #Pressure #Stop #Attacking #Rafa
2024-04-29 05:57:00
