There are clear signs of progress toward an agreement over the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza and a possible ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas. After negotiations in Cairo with the Islamic faction, the new talks in Paris – between CIA Director William Burns, Qatar, Egypt and Mossad chief David Barnea – were described as “very good” and a harbinger of “significant progress” .
The updated picture in the French capital is being scrutinized by both Hamas and the Israeli War Cabinet. According to many sources, the fact that the Islamic faction has “reduced” many of its starting conditions seems to have contributed to a shortening of distances, which, despite all the necessary precautions, could lead to a positive solution “before Ramadan” begins from the 10th to the 11th . March. But Hamas is holding back on media reconstructions: Taher Anonu, chief of staff of leader Ismail Haniyeh, said the news of the militiamen's surrender was “Israeli propaganda.” For the Palestinian official, the conditions set by Hamas for an agreement continue to be the end of the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the lifting of the blockade and the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip.
According to Arab media and other sources, Hamas has instead abandoned the demand for a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza, which is unacceptable to Israel, and a permanent ceasefire in favor of an initial six-week ceasefire. According to the same sources, the number of Palestinian prisoners that Israel should release in exchange for the kidnapped people was also reduced: in the first phase of the agreement, which is defined as humanitarian, there is talk of 200 to 300. In this first step, Hamas would – according to the Ynet website – release around 35-40 children, women, adults over 60 and the sick, including teenagers. At the same time, however, he continued to call for the withdrawal of the IDF from the most populous centers and the return of displaced people from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip. “We are still far from an agreement, but Hamas,” said a senior Israeli politician, “has given up some of its demands after Prime Minister Netanyahu toughened up.”
Now “any further progress – according to a diplomatic source quoted by Haaretz – lies in the hands of Hamas.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the situation was changing and confirmed that “work is underway to obtain a further plan for the release of our hostages.”
The aim is to “discuss the next steps in the negotiations,” he said. But the prime minister has by no means given up military pressure with the announced military operation in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are gathering. Early next week, the war cabinet will review its operational plans, “including the evacuation of civilians,” to complete “the elimination of Hamas battalions.” “Only a combination of military pressure and decisive negotiations – he reiterated – will lead to the release of our hostages and the elimination of Hamas.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to face street protests: thousands of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday , took part in a police-sanctioned demonstration that was met with water cannons and 19 arrests, and a candlelight vigil in Jerusalem.
On the 141st day of the war, the army was concentrated in Zeitun, the western district of Gaza City, in the center of the Gaza Strip, and in the Hamas stronghold of Khan Yunis in the south. In both locations, the IDF reported “fierce fighting” in which “many Hamas operatives” were killed. For its part, the Hamas Ministry of Health reported that the death toll since the start of the war had reached 29,606. Due to the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave, UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, was forced to suspend the delivery of aid to the northern Gaza Strip, where the situation “makes it impossible to carry out adequate humanitarian operations.” Hunger and desperation among the population, leading to attacks and unrest.
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ANSA Agency police use water cannons against demonstrators in Tel Aviv, 19 arrests – News – Ansa.it Thousands protest against Netanyahu. Torchlight procession in Jerusalem (ANSA)
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