High-ranking negotiators met in Rome on Sunday to discuss the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the possibility of a truce in the Gaza Strip, reported Israeli portal Ynet.
The meeting was attended by David Barnea, Director of Israel’s spy agency Mossad, William Burns, Chief of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamal.
Among the issues discussed was the possibility of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Palestinian militant group Hamas following its October 7 attack, and Israel’s updated proposal for Hamas.
The new proposal, presented ahead of the Sunday meeting in Italy’s capital, requires implementing an inspection mechanism to prevent combatants from moving to the northern Gaza Strip, stipulates that Israel remain stationed at the Gaza-Egypt border during the initial phase of the agreement, and demands a complete list of all living hostages Hamas will release as part of the deal.
Italian news agency Ansa quoted Israeli and American sources as saying that no breakthrough should be expected after the negotiations in Rome, as the talks will be limited to establishing a strategy to follow.
Commentators pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent trip to the U.S. and his meetings with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump have not led to a change in policy by the Israeli authorities.
Ansa quoted an Israeli source as saying: “Netanyahu wants an agreement that cannot be reached. He is not ready to make any move at the moment, so we may find ourselves in a crisis of negotiations rather than on the path to an agreement.”.
The recent crisis in the Gaza Strip erupted following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel in October of last year.
In response, Israel launched a major military invasion aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure.
The invasion has led to significant casualties and destruction in Gaza, leading to a major humanitarian crisis and prompting international calls for a resolution of the conflict.
Among the issues discussed was the possibility of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Palestinian militant group Hamas following its October 7 attack, and Israel’s updated proposal for Hamas.
The new proposal, presented ahead of the Sunday meeting in Italy’s capital, requires implementing an inspection mechanism to prevent combatants from moving to the northern Gaza Strip, stipulates that Israel remain stationed at the Gaza-Egypt border during the initial phase of the agreement, and demands a complete list of all living hostages Hamas will release as part of the deal.
Italian news agency Ansa quoted Israeli and American sources as saying that no breakthrough should be expected after the negotiations in Rome, as the talks will be limited to establishing a strategy to follow.
Commentators pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent trip to the U.S. and his meetings with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump have not led to a change in policy by the Israeli authorities.
Ansa quoted an Israeli source as saying: “Netanyahu wants an agreement that cannot be reached. He is not ready to make any move at the moment, so we may find ourselves in a crisis of negotiations rather than on the path to an agreement.”.
The recent crisis in the Gaza Strip erupted following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel in October of last year.
In response, Israel launched a major military invasion aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure.
The invasion has led to significant casualties and destruction in Gaza, leading to a major humanitarian crisis and prompting international calls for a resolution of the conflict.
Source: PAP, Times of Israel, TVP World
More In Politics MORE...
