Netanyahu's demands a stumbling block for ceasefire

Published:

Netanyahu's demands a stumbling block for ceasefire
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/AP/TT

Today, the talks between the USA and Israel in Egypt's capital Cairo regarding a ceasefire in Gaza continue, report Israeli media.

In the week, talks have been held in Qatar's capital Doha, but terrorist-stamped Hamas has not participated directly in the talks and rejects what is meant to be "new conditions" from Israel. On the other hand, Israeli negotiators expressed "cautious optimism" based on a proposal presented by mediating USA.

After the USA-Israel negotiations in Cairo, the broader talks are expected to resume at the same location later in the coming week.

Demands not included in the proposal

However, according to sources, the proposal, which the USA hopes will lead to a ceasefire in the short term, does not include previous demands from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports The Times of Israel, citing TV channel Keshet 12. The demands concern a continued Israeli military presence at the border between Gaza and Egypt, as well as a mechanism in central Gaza that cuts off the area and prevents armed Hamas forces from returning to northern Gaza.

Only if the USA and Israel manage to agree on the terms for the two issues will the mediating countries Egypt and Qatar pressure Hamas to accept the agreement – Hamas has previously said that they will not agree if Netanyahu's demands are included.

Blinken in talks with Netanyahu

Something that shows the intensity of the talks is that USA's Foreign Minister Antony Blinken has traveled to the Middle East to try to "finalize an agreement on ceasefire and release of hostages and prisoners through the bridging proposal", according to a statement from the US Department of State.

Blinken and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the key issue on Sunday. Netanyahu is also expected to bring it up with Israel's negotiators before the talks begin in Cairo.

American officials have previously said that Hamas forces returning to northern Gaza would constitute a breach of the agreement. According to media company Walla, the mediators have presented a clause that gives Israel the right to resume hostilities if armed forces are moved to northern Gaza.

Egyptian sources claim, according to Israeli TV channel 13, that Egypt and Israel are negotiating what will apply along the Gaza border.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Netanyahu Aims for Hostage Release in Coming Days

Netanyahu Aims for Hostage Release in Coming Days

Ancient Tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III Opens to Public After Restoration

Ancient Tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III Opens to Public After Restoration

Trump Urges Israel to Cease Bombing, Raising Hopes for Gaza Peace

Trump Urges Israel to Cease Bombing, Raising Hopes for Gaza Peace

Six Arrested in Connection with Manchester Synagogue Attack

Six Arrested in Connection with Manchester Synagogue Attack

Protests Erupt Across Europe Against Gaza Conflict

Protests Erupt Across Europe Against Gaza Conflict

Baltic Sea Faces Environmental Threat from WWII Ammunition

Baltic Sea Faces Environmental Threat from WWII Ammunition

Imprisoned Ex-Leader Calls for Protests as Georgia Votes

Imprisoned Ex-Leader Calls for Protests as Georgia Votes

Andrej Babis Claims Historic Victory in Czech Election

Andrej Babis Claims Historic Victory in Czech Election

White House Unveils 20-Point Plan for Gaza Peace

White House Unveils 20-Point Plan for Gaza Peace

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Russian Drones Hit Ukrainian Train Station in Double Attack

Russian Drones Hit Ukrainian Train Station in Double Attack

Swedish Ministry Urges Israel to Provide Clean Water to Activists

Swedish Ministry Urges Israel to Provide Clean Water to Activists

Drone Alert Causes Flight Delays at Munich Airport

Drone Alert Causes Flight Delays at Munich Airport

David Zini Appointed as Israel's New Shin Bet Chief Amid Controversy

David Zini Appointed as Israel's New Shin Bet Chief Amid Controversy

Bear Attack in Northern Japan Leaves One Dead, One Missing

Bear Attack in Northern Japan Leaves One Dead, One Missing

Storm Amy Claims Two Lives as It Sweeps Across Europe

Storm Amy Claims Two Lives as It Sweeps Across Europe

Jared Kushner Leads US Delegation to Egypt for Hostage Talks

Jared Kushner Leads US Delegation to Egypt for Hostage Talks

Netanyahu Approved Drone Attack on Gaza Convoy with Greta Thunberg

Netanyahu Approved Drone Attack on Gaza Convoy with Greta Thunberg

Hamas Open to Peace Talks and Hostage Negotiations in Gaza Conflict

Hamas Open to Peace Talks and Hostage Negotiations in Gaza Conflict

Munich Airport Halts Traffic Again Due to Drone Alarm

Munich Airport Halts Traffic Again Due to Drone Alarm