Negotiators are gearing up for a pivotal week in Gaza, as ceasefire talks are set to resume after Israel reviews the latest truce terms presented by Hamas, an Egyptian security official told Xinhua on Friday.
During previous discussions in Doha, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, Hamas raised its demands, prompting mediators to seek revisions for Israel's approval. The main hurdles include:
- Calls for the release of specific Palestinian figures
- Details about the map outlining Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza
- The opening of the Rafah crossing to boost humanitarian aid deliveries
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, criticized Hamas for 'a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire' after reviewing their latest proposal. Hamas quickly rejected this, expressing 'astonishment' and reaffirming its commitment to a diplomatic solution.
With the conflict stretching into its tenth month following a deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel last October, the Israeli military campaign has resulted in over 59,210 Palestinian fatalities. As global eyes turn to the negotiations, many hope next week's talks could mark a turning point toward lasting peace and urgent humanitarian relief.
Reference(s):
Gaza ceasefire negotiations to resume next week: Egyptian source
cgtn.com
