In a joint statement, the US, Egypt, and Qatar urged Israel and Hamas to pick up the pace of talks on a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement.The three countries had forged a “framework agreement,” according to the statement, with “only the details of implementation left to conclude.”
“US, Egypt, and Qatar urge Israel and Hamas to hold further negotiations”
Israel announced that it would send negotiators to the proposed talks, which are scheduled for either Cairo or Doha on August 15. Hamas did not reply right away.The redoubled diplomatic effort is likely an attempt to prevent regional tensions from getting out of hand following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last week. Although Israel has not made a direct comment on the killing, Iran has blamed Israel and promised a retaliation.The three countries invited Israel and Hamas to reopen negotiations on August 15 in order “to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay,” according to a joint statement.
It stated, “As mediators, if necessary, we are ready to offer a last bridging proposal that addresses the outstanding implementation issues in a way that satisfies everyone.”US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani all signed the statement.
It stated that the framework agreement was approved by the UN Security Council and was founded on “principles” that President Biden had previously described on May 31. These principles included the release of several hostages and a complete ceasefire.In a statement released on Thursday night, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that he had spoken with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to “reinforce my ironclad support for Israel’s defence” and to brief him on modifications to US forces in the area.He added, “I also emphasised how crucial it is to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that frees the hostages.”
The goal of achieving a ceasefire and hostage release agreement has proven difficult to achieve thus far, despite multiple rounds of negotiations.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the conflict can only end when Hamas is vanquished, despite Hamas’s demands for a ceasefire.Israel resumed its bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Thursday. According to the Hamas-run civil defence force in Gaza, it struck two schools and killed over eighteen people. The Israeli military declared that it had attacked the Hamas headquarters.The fact that Hamas chose to replace Haniyeh as leader and install Yahya Sinwar in his place could complicate any potential negotiations.Sinwar is regarded as one of the most radical members of the group and is held accountable by Israel for the organisation and carrying out of the October 7 attacks.
Israel’s security cabinet convened in an underground bunker on Thursday rather than at its regular location due to concerns about an attack by Iran or its allies, according to Israel’s Channel 13.
Source: BBC
