Hamas “hopes to reach agreement” on Gaza in new round of negotiations
The Islamist organization Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, expressed its “hope of reaching an agreement” to end the war in the enclave now that international mediators have resumed negotiations with Israel on the matter.
Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said in a statement that the group is also “prepared to show flexibility” in negotiations regarding the implementation of the agreement, including “the timing of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from key points.” of the Gaza Strip”, one of the elements of clash between the usual parties.
In recent months, Israeli demands to remain in the Netzarim corridor, created by the army to separate the north from the south of the enclave, and the Philadelphia corridor, the border between Gaza and Egypt in the south, have been met with frontal rejection. of the Islamists.
In addition, Naim considered that the return of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States – he will take office on January 20 – can “positively” influence the situation in the enclave, citing the magnate’s campaign promise to stop wars. Days earlier, Trump had promised on social media “hell” in the Middle East if the Israeli hostages still in the hands of Hamas did not leave Gaza before he returned to office. In total, 96 of the 251 kidnapped by the militants on October 7, 2023 remain in the Strip, of whom at least 34 are dead.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar insisted Thursday that there is a new “opportunity” to reach an agreement to release hostages in the Gaza Strip. “We may now have the opportunity to reach an agreement on the hostages. “Israel is serious about reaching an agreement on the hostages and I hope we can do it, and as soon as possible,” Saar said in a video message shared by his office. Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed himself in similar terms, announcing on Wednesday that “there is a possibility” of reaching a new agreement for the release of hostages with Hamas.
An Israeli delegation will visit Cairo “in the coming days” to discuss the possible truce agreement in Gaza and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to an Egyptian security source who predicted their arrival “at the beginning of next week.” . In the midst of this new effort in the negotiations, Qatar, which had withdrawn its mediation accusing the parties of lack of “seriousness”, would have also discreetly resumed its role in the negotiations, according to what the newspaper reported yesterday. The Times of Israel.
In more than a year of war, Hamas and Israel have only reached an agreement on a ceasefire and release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, in November last year, which served to free more than a hundred of the 251 kidnapped. on October 7. Since then, negotiations to achieve a new truce have been in vain and some former members of the Israeli Government, such as the opposition politician Benny Gantz or the former Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant (dismissed at the beginning of November), have accused the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to prevent the agreement for political reasons. (Efe)
