According to Egyptian sources cited by Qatari media, work is underway on a six-week truce agreement in exchange for the release of 40 hostages, with a partial return of displaced Palestinians to the northern part of the Strip.
Editorial
Optimism is reflected in Israeli and Arab media regarding the latest meeting in Cairo between negotiators tasked with finding common ground to end, at least temporarily, hostilities in Gaza and to bring home the Israeli hostages, still in the hands of Hamas.
The proposal under consideration was put forward by the Americans. According to Egyptian sources cited by Qatari media, work is underway on a six-week truce agreement in exchange for the release of 40 hostages, with a partial return of displaced Palestinians to the northern part of the Strip. Meanwhile, the head of the CIA William Burns asked to suspend fighting in all forms during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which lasts three days starting from Tuesday evening and concludes Ramadan, as reported by the Saudi broadcaster 'Al-Sharq'. During the Eid break, the ongoing negotiations in Cairo between the parties are expected to continue.
While Qatar declares itself optimistic and an Egyptian source speaks of great progress and an agreement on the main points between the various parties, Israel tempered expectations: “We still don't see an agreement on the horizon, the distance between the parties remains considerable“. Israel, however, confirms that “lThe proposal to release the hostages was presented to Hamas“. Hamas, for its part, is reportedly evaluating the agreement, which includes, along with the six-week truce, the release of Israeli women and children hostages in exchange for around 900 Palestinian prisoners. In its initial phase, it would also include the return of displaced Palestinian civilians to the northern part of the Strip and the delivery of 400-500 trucks of food aid per day.
The initiatives for a truce also serve to try to cool the threats of retaliation launched by Tehran for the Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The Americans argue that Iran does not want to give up its plan to strike Israel at the right time. Meanwhile, another front could open in Lebanon where the IDF would have killed Ali Ahmed Hassin, commander of the Radwan Forces of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the Hajir region.
Benjamin Netanyahu, following pressure from American President Joe Biden, gave the green light to the entry of 300 aid trucks into Gaza in the last 24 hours, ordering the withdrawal of fighting troops from the southern territories of Khan Yunis. However, Tel Aviv does not give up on the entry into Rafah and has confirmed that it will happen, also saying that there is already a date.
In addition to the population taking to the streets more and more often in protest, internally Netanyauh is starting to have problems in his government. “If Netanyahu decides to end the war without a widespread attack on Rafah to defeat Hamas, he will not have the mandate to continue serving as prime minister.”, threatened the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir yesterday morning. The Minister of Finance is on the same line Bezalel Smotrich who called together his party, Religious Zionism, to assess the situation after the army announced its withdrawal from Khan Yunis.
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