The radical Islamic group Hamas claims to be analyzing proposals drawn up at a meeting in Paris for a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war. Hamas announced today via Telegram that it had received the proposals. These will now be “reviewed” and a response prepared.
Representatives from the US, Israel, Qatar and Egypt discussed a deal in Paris over the weekend that would see the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire. Israel described the talks as “constructive” but pointed out “significant differences.”
USA: “Very productive consultations”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke of “very productive discussions”. There is “real hope” of a deal. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said “good progress” had been made.
At the end of November, as part of a week-long humanitarian ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US, 105 Hamas hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. According to Israeli authorities, 132 hostages are still being held by Hamas and 28 of them are believed to be dead.
Israel: Not ready for a complete end to the war
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz made it clear that his country was not prepared to completely end the war against Hamas in exchange for the release of all hostages. In an interview with the newspaper “Bild”, the broadcaster Welt TV and “Politico”, Katz said: “We do not agree that we should end the war without Hamas being defeated militarily and politically.”
Israel wants to release the hostages, but this “will only happen under military pressure in Gaza,” Katz continued. Other countries, such as Egypt, should also continue to pressure Hamas.