DOHA
— Since December 2023, talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt have reached a deadlock
in discussions regarding a negotiation framework rather than the details of an
actual agreement.
اضافة اعلان
The
current proposal under negotiation could potentially lead to a six-week
ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 40 hostages – women, soldiers, and men
over 50 years old, as well as critically ill men – in exchange for hundreds of
Palestinian prisoners, Al-Ghad reported.
Continuous
efforts to reach an agreement saw progress last week when Hamas responded to
the hostage deal framework proposed by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
According
to reports, Israeli officials state that there are still gaps between the parties,
but Hamas' response has brought them closer to the original framework, allowing
negotiations to progress toward agreement details.
The
American framework included the release of 400 Palestinian prisoners, including
15 serving life sentences, in exchange for 40 hostages.
Hamas'
response, presented last Thursday, included the release of 950 prisoners,
including 150 serving life sentences.
Hamas
wants to choose which prisoners will be released, particularly those serving
life sentences. Israel has rejected this request, according to Israeli
officials.
On
the other hand, Israel demands to receive a list of the living hostages
beforehand and the deportation of released prisoners to another country.
Israeli officials stated that Hamas refused this.
However,
the broader gaps involve Hamas' demand for the Israeli army to withdraw from
the corridor established south of Gaza City, preventing Palestinians from
returning to the northern part of the Strip.
Another
contentious point is Hamas' demand for the next phase of the deal, which could
include the release of soldiers and a permanent ceasefire.
Israeli
negotiators, led by Burnia, met with Qatari and Egyptian mediators headed by
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday in Doha,
according to Axios.
A
source directly involved in the opening session of the talks described them as
positive. The source said, "Both sides have made some concessions and are
ready to negotiate."
A
senior Israeli official stated that the Israeli negotiation team would remain
in Doha to continue detailed discussions with Qatari and Egyptian mediators
shuttling between the parties present in separate parts of the same compound in
Doha.
The
current round of talks may last at least two weeks. The official said, "It
will be a long, difficult, and complex process, but we want to try to reach an
agreement."
According
to reports, the hostage deal is a sensitive political issue in Israel, where
Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners object to any deal involving a mass
release of Palestinian prisoners that could lead to a permanent ceasefire.
Netanyahu
postponed a cabinet meeting last week to discuss authorizing the Israeli
negotiation team for several days. Israeli officials stated that he narrowed
the scope of the mandate requested by the negotiators in the hostage talks and
set stricter red lines on what they could accept in negotiations.
An
Israeli official said that some members of the Israeli negotiation team are
concerned that Netanyahu's red lines will make reaching an agreement more
difficult, but Mossad Director David Burnia, who heads the team, believes it is
still achievable.
An
Israeli official stated, "The negotiation team didn't get what they wanted
but got enough love. If we get close to a good agreement, Netanyahu will
provide more love."
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