Israel sets conditions for continuing negotiations for the release of the hostages. The Israeli government wants to know in particular how many of these hostages are still alive, before continuing negotiations, while there is increasing talk of a new agreement which would allow the establishment of a truce and the release of hostages. Their families are continuing a campaign for their release.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michael Paul
Israel says no to continuing any mediation with Hamas as long as the Palestinian organization does not provide a list of hostages held in Gaza who are still alive. An Israeli security source, cited by the media in Israel, also underlines that Hamas must immediately provide an answer on the number of Palestinian prisoners who will have to be released as part of a new exchange.
At this point, Israel has confirmed that no Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo for the continuation of talks proposed by Egyptian intelligence.
Israeli officials hope that American pressure on the mediators could ultimately lead Hamas to provide answers to these questions.
In the meantime, these same Israeli sources believe that significant progress has been made. The objective for a new agreement still remains the start of the holy month of Ramadan, expected on March 10.
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Hostage families complete march from Gaza Strip to Jerusalem
In the meantime, pressure on the Israeli government continues. The families of the hostages held in Gaza continue the campaign to push for their release, meeting on the evening of Saturday March 2, at the end of a four-day march from the Gaza border to the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset), and the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister.
“ The return of the hostages, now »: this is what their loved ones always ask for. In all, 15,000 people participated in this symbolic march.
Yaron believes that Israel should have exerted greater pressure on Hamas regarding humanitarian assistance: “ It serves the specific interests of someone very particular not to work for the release of the hostageshe says, one of the marchers who displays two Israeli flags. I say this with great regret, and I will not give his name because we are on French radio. But word to the wise, hello! »
Shock and demands for elections
Gili was deeply shocked by Israeli army fire on Palestinian crowd in search of flour in Gaza last Thursday. The drama has caused a great stir in world opinionwith a possible reversal in Western support for Israel.
“ I call it carnagesays Gili. I didn’t coin the term, but it seems that’s what happened. People came to have bread with a little flour, and they were shot at: why? Don’t we know they’re starving? They are being shot at because the government wants to get rid of them, to clean up the Gaza Strip. »
In several Israeli cities, notably Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to demand new general elections.
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