In a significant development, Hamas has agreed to a US proposal to start talks on the release of Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men. The decision comes 16 days after the initial stages of an agreement aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, a senior Hamas source told Reuters on Saturday.
Hamas’ Change of Attitude
Notably, the militant Islamist group has dropped its previous demand that Israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing an agreement. Hamas is instead willing to allow negotiations to achieve a ceasefire through the six-week first phase of the proposed agreement. The change was revealed by the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.
Palestinian officials involved in the peace talks have suggested the U.S. proposal could lead to a framework agreement if Israel agrees, and Israeli negotiators have also said there is a good chance of reaching an agreement, in contrast to past rejections of Hamas’ terms.
Casualties of Conflict and Mediation Efforts
According to Israeli figures, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza conflict since Hamas attacked the southern Israeli city on October 7, with 1,200 killed and around 250 taken hostage.
The mediators would secure a temporary ceasefire, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces during indirect negotiations to implement the second phase of the agreement. Efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of the hostages have been bolstered by active diplomacy by Washington, Israel and Qatar, which is leading the mediation effort in Doha.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Mossad chief had returned from his first round of talks in Qatar and further negotiations were expected as international efforts to resolve the conflict and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensify.
(Quoted from Reuters)
