With the extension of the ongoing discussions in the Egyptian capital two days ago between a delegation from the Hamas movement and regional mediators, for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an exchange of prisoners with Israel, new information has been revealed.
On Wednesday that the mediators (Egyptians and Qataris) are currently trying to reach a humanitarian truce, at the very least, in the first week of Ramadan.
Intensifying aid
They are also working to bring more humanitarian aid into the besieged Strip, starting on Sunday, and to persuade Israel to agree to increase the entry of aid before Ramadan.
In addition, the sources reported that Israel will present its response to Hamas’ demands to the mediators in the coming hours.
It was revealed that the Qatari and Egyptian mediators sent a message to Tel Aviv confirming their rejection of any military movement in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, or the continuation of shooting during the month of Ramadan.
It also explained that Hamas demanded setting a time frame for Israel’s response to its demands and setting a timetable for ending the negotiations, and indicated that Tel Aviv’s stubbornness was behind the delay in reaching a formula of understanding.
“We showed flexibility”
Hamas demands a complete and permanent ceasefire, as well as the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, and the intensification of the introduction of aid, stressing that it showed flexibility during the discussions.
It also considers that Israel is evading some obligations, especially a permanent ceasefire.
The last prisoner exchange agreement between the two sides was concluded in late last November, which then led to the release of 105 Israeli prisoners who were detained by Hamas on October 7, in exchange for the release of about 240 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
American veto against 3 resolutions.
Note that for the resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine supportive votes and no veto by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council, namely the United States, France, Britain,
Russia, and China.
America had previously opposed the use of the word “ceasefire,” and stressed more than once that the matter was up to the Israeli leadership.
While it used its veto power against three draft Security Council resolutions – two of which called for an immediate ceasefire – during the five-month war.
This new American move came as Washington intensified its pressure on its ally, Israel, to make more efforts to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a ceasefire, and to reduce the death toll among Palestinian civilians.
It also came as discussions continued in Cairo between Hamas and the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, in order to reach an agreement with the Israeli side that would establish a truce before the month of Ramadan, and a prisoner exchange deal between the two sides.
While 130 Israeli prisoners remain in Gaza, 30 of them are believed to have died, according to Israeli estimates.
