US, Qatar, and Egypt urge to resume Gaza ceasefire talks without excuses
The Prime Minister of the United States and presidents of Egypt and Qatar have together appealed that the leaders of Israel and Hamas should immediately commence negotiations to finalize the proposed ceasefire as well as hostage release where no justification by any party can be offered for further delay. Spelling out specifics in the trilateral statement along with Egypt, Turkey, and Malaysia, which have been actively involved in the negotiations, the three countries suggested that the next round of talks be held in Doha or Cairo on August 15, insisting that the situation demanded immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and the hostages and their families.
The leaders dwelled on the fact that what they referred to as a framework agreement is present, and what remains now is to set the details. They also suggested bringing a fourth offer of bridging that would resolve the remaining problems and ensure the agreement’s signing.
In response to this statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the Israeli negotiators would be part of the discussions to agree on the finer procedures for implementing the said deal. But Hamas did not reply to these this time.
On the other hand, Israel’s defense force has again issued a warning for the Palestinians in some districts in the eastern part of Khan Younis in response to escalating operations against the militants who launch rockets in the area. Writing and using the evacuation orders, the army sent messages on social sites and direct messages to dozens of families who fled their houses to move towards West Al-Mawasi. This humanitarian shelter area is already congested with displaced families.
Khan Younis, which is the second largest city in the Gaza Strip, the area has already suffered extensive damage as a result of earlier air and ground raids earlier in the year. The recent evacuation orders have aggravated existing tensions in the area, which appeared to worsen since the July 31st assassination of the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, a crime which Tehran lays on Israel. Predictions of an act of reprisal have raised speculations of an escalation of the conflict in the region.
A USA official later explained that the tripartite declaration by the leaders of the USA, Qatar and Egypt was not directed at Iran but cautioned that any provocation could hamper the consultations aimed at putting an end to the confrontation between Israel and Hamas. The official also said that it is possible that the political agreement for the ceasefire may not be inked next week because of issues stemming from talks on the swopping of prisoners between Hamas and Israel. However, the progress is beneficial for both sides in continuing the negotiation.
