Israel is preparing to send delegation to Qatar: 'There’s something to work with'
Israel is preparing to send a negotiation delegation to Qatar, possibly as early as tomorrow — this was reported this evening (Saturday) in the Kan News broadcast. Israeli officials say the change in Hamas’ position stems, among other reasons, from immense pressure exerted by Qatar and the United States.
The cabinet will discuss Hamas’ response this evening. Israel has not outright rejected the response and says, “There’s something to work with.”
Meanwhile, the mediating countries continue to express optimistic messages. The Palestinian-American mediator Bashara Bahbah said last night that he believes the amendments introduced by Hamas in the proposal should not prevent an agreement being reached in the coming week.
Additionally, sources in Egypt said that Hamas’ response opens the possibility for indirect negotiations that could lead to a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas is still waiting for Israel’s reaction to the response it submitted and is trying to portray its reply as positive. However, as always, the response included amendments, which in the organization’s view, do not thwart the deal.
A senior Hamas official said in recent hours that the amendments relate to guarantees regarding a swift transition to negotiations to end the war, expanding the circle of the guarantors of the agreement – possibly even including Turkey among the guarantor states – as well as details connected to the distribution of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip.
Written by KAN 11 correspondents Suleiman Maswadeh and Roi Kais.
Kan.org.il is the Hebrew news website of the The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
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