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Israel has rejected modifications demanded by Hamas to a Gaza ceasefire proposal as “unacceptable,” however Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned he was nonetheless sending a negotiating workforce to Doha to start oblique talks aimed toward halting the 21-month warfare.
The Israeli resolution got here late on Saturday after a gathering of the prime minister’s safety cupboard. The assembly was convened to debate Hamas’s response to a proposal crafted by Qatar, the US, and Egypt that requires a 60-day ceasefire, the discharge of 28 Israeli hostages, and the beginning of talks over a everlasting finish to the battle.
“The modifications that Hamas is searching for to make within the Qatari proposal had been conveyed to us final night time and are unacceptable to Israel,” Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned in a press release, earlier than including {that a} negotiating workforce can be leaving on Sunday to start “proximity talks . . . for the return of our hostages.”
Israel mentioned it had accepted the unique proposal put ahead by the mediators.
Hamas mentioned on Friday it had delivered a “optimistic” response to the mediators and that it was “totally ready and critical about instantly coming into a brand new spherical of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
It stays unclear what modifications or clarifications the Palestinian militant group had requested.
In response to drafts seen by the Monetary Occasions and confirmed by two folks accustomed to the negotiations, further talks are required to finalise the scope of Israel’s navy withdrawal from Gaza through the two-month ceasefire, in addition to the quantity and identities of Palestinian prisoners meant to be launched from Israeli prisons in alternate for the hostages.
Gaps are additionally believed to exist between the 2 combatants over the humanitarian assist mechanism for the besieged enclave, in addition to the extent of US ensures that the preliminary ceasefire will result in a everlasting finish to the warfare.
Netanyahu is ready to depart for Washington on Sunday, forward of a gathering on the White Home the following day with US President Donald Trump, who has made clear his want for a ceasefire.
Trump mentioned late on Friday night time that he was “very optimistic” a deal may very well be reached “subsequent week,” earlier than including “it modifications from everyday”.
Trump posted this week on his Fact Social media platform that he meant to be “very agency” with Netanyahu when he met with him, however issued a warning to Hamas: “I hope, for the great of the Center East, that Hamas takes this Deal, as a result of it won’t get higher — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
Netanyahu is anticipated to face opposition from far-right allies inside his governing coalition over any truce deal that halts the warfare wanting the entire “destruction” of Hamas.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, nationwide safety minister, demanded on social media platform X on Saturday night time that the Israeli navy reconquer the whole thing of the enclave, halt the entry of all humanitarian assist, and encourage Gazans to “to migrate” out.
“I name on the Prime Minister to desert the trail of give up and return to the trail of victory,” he added.
In response to the draft proposals seen by the FT, Trump would “assure” that the battle be halted for 60 days, throughout which 10 residing Israeli hostages and the our bodies of 18 extra can be launched in 5 phases.
There are 50 hostages seized throughout Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault nonetheless in captivity, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
As a part of the settlement, “critical negotiations” to finish the warfare — a long-held Hamas demand — can be initiated on the primary day, with the mediators set to offer ensures to increase the truce ought to further time be wanted to succeed in a everlasting ceasefire.
Netanyahu has persistently refused to decide to ending the warfare in Gaza till a “whole victory” over Hamas had been achieved. A shortlived ceasefire broke down earlier this 12 months, with the Israeli premier demanding Hamas’s full give up and the discharge of further hostages and the Palestinian group refusing to capitulate.
Talks over a everlasting finish to the preventing, which had been mandated in that truce settlement, by no means bought below approach, and Israel renewed a devastating navy offensive within the shattered territory in March.