Following negotiations in Paris on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, the Israeli war cabinet met last night.
“The delegation returned from Paris, there seems to be room to get closer to an agreement,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser, Zachi Hanegbi, told N12 television. He did not provide further details.
“Agreement does not mean end of war”
The heads of the Israeli foreign secret service Mossad and the internal secret service Shin Bet, as well as representatives from the USA, Egypt and Qatar took part in the negotiations in the French capital. Israel is pushing for the release of all hostages held by radical Islamist Hamas, especially women.
Hanegbi emphasized that “such an agreement does not mean the end of the war.” He also noted that Israel would not accept an agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia on a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu said the war cabinet meeting should discuss the “next steps in negotiations.” In the statement, he also reiterated his plan to send Israeli troops to the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, despite widespread concerns.
Thousands in demonstrations over hostage agreements
Meanwhile, thousands of people demonstrated in several Israeli cities for the release of hostages held by Hamas and against Netanyahu's government.
Protest participants in Tel Aviv carried banners reading “You are the leader!” in Netanyahu. You're to blame!”
A growing number of critics accuse the head of government of mismanaging the country before and after the terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremist groups in southern Israel on October 7. They accuse him of subordinating everything to his own political advantage when making important decisions.