The negotiations between the parties are to continue intensively in the beginning of the week. The Biden administration hopes that it would be possible to start a temporary ceasefire at the beginning of next week.
In the United States, the president Joe Biden stated on Monday that a temporary ceasefire in Gaza could possibly begin early next week.
Various parties, such as Egypt, Qatar, the United States and France, have tried to bring about a ceasefire in the region in order to, among other things, release the hostages. The agreement could include handing over Palestinian prisoners to Gaza in connection with the exchange.
Negotiations have been going on for a long time between Israel and the extremist organization Hamas. Biden said that the creation of the agreement is close, but it is not ready yet. Israel’s large-scale attacks in Gaza began after Hamas attacked Israel last October and took hostages.
– My hope is that next Monday we will have a ceasefire in effect, Biden said in New York.
The situation was discussed over the weekend in Paris, the capital of France. According to various parties, the negotiations have reached a situation called a consensus, although without Hamas, which controls Gaza. The National Security Adviser of the White House told about the mutual understanding Jake Sullivan.
The number of negotiations will continue
However, representatives of Hamas have been involved in the negotiations after the weekend.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that a possible deal between the two sides would only delay the attack on Rafah, but not prevent it. There are up to 1.4 million internally displaced persons in Gaza in Rafah.
– It has to be done because our goal is complete victory and complete victory is within reach, not in months, but in weeks, when we start the operation, Netanyahu said.
According to unnamed Israeli sources, the country’s military and intelligence delegation is heading to Qatar for further negotiations.
King of Jordan Abdullah warned on Monday of the dangers of Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah and reiterated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire to help civilians.
On Monday, the Jordanian army delivered food aid and medical supplies to Gaza. Aid was brought to the area by four airplanes.
The food shortage is particularly bad in northern Gaza. There, desperate crowds have taken over aid transports. Aid workers have reported seeing thin and clearly starving people.
Sources: AFP, Reuters