By Euronews with AP
Published on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for the US on Sunday to meet with US President Donald Trump for talks on a new ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu told reporters that Trump “can certainly help to advance” ceasefire efforts, adding that Israel has “never had such a friend in the White House.”
The Israeli leader said that he was determined to bring the remaining hostages held by Hamas back. According to him, 20 are still alive while 30 are dead. He also emphasised the Israeli goal of eliminating Hamas’ military and governing power.
Trump has reportedly pushed an initial 60-day-ceasefire deal to both Israel and Hamas. This would entail the partial release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza as well as an increase in humanitarian aid allowed into the territory.
According to Trump, Israel has accepted the deal and Hamas released a statement on Friday saying their reaction was “positive” but that the details of the ceasefire still needed to be worked out.
Israel sent a negotiating team to Qatar on Saturday to hold hostage deal talks with Hamas amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
According to the Associated Press, the latest ceasefire proposal involves Hamas handing over 10 living and 18 dead hostages. Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt and significant amounts of aid would be allowed to enter the territory.
Aid would reportedly be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages, but the number is not yet been agreed upon.
While the document does not guarantee a permanent end to the war – a condition long demanded by Hamas – it does say negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the initial 60 days. It also says that “President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel’s adherence” to halting military operations.
This personal guarantee appears to be an attempt at reassuring Hamas that Israel would not resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when negotiations to extend it stalled.
