WASHINGTON: Leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar jointly demanded Israel and Hamas return to stalled talks on the war in Gaza next week, saying that “only the details” of carrying out a ceasefire and hostage release remain to be negotiated. “There is no further time to waste, nor excuses from any party for further delay,” they said in a joint statement.
Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office said Thursday, “Pursuant to the proposal by the US and the mediators, Israel will — on August 15 — send the negotiations team to a place to be determined in order to finalise the details of the implementation of the framework agreement.”
US Prez Biden, Egyptian Prez Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Tamim al-Thani, mediators in indirect negotiations to end 10 months of devastating war in Gaza, set the talks for Aug 15, to take place in either Doha, Qatar, or Cairo.
A senior US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the push by mediators, said only four or five areas of disagreement over implementation remained to be resolved between the two opponents.
The official cited the timing of a planned swap of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and hostages held by Hamas, as an example.
Egypt, the US and Qatar said they have a proposal ready to present at next week's talks to resolve the remaining issues.
There was no immediate response to the offer by Hamas.