Israel is exploring the possibility of sending a delegation of negotiators to Egypt in the coming days to explore an opportunity to advance a hostage deal. In reality, the decision largely depends on the answers that will be obtained from the mediators’ meetings with senior Hamas officials who arrived in Cairo.
Israel is indeed encouraged by the uncompromising message from US President-elect Donald Trump, on the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, even before he takes office on January 20. “If the hostages are not released before my inauguration, there will be hell in the Middle East,” Donald Trump published yesterday on his “Truth Social” network.
“Everyone is talking about the hostages being held so violently, inhumanely and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East – but it’s all talk, not action. Listen to this truth – if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, when I proudly take office as President of the United States, the Middle East will pay the price.”
Furthermore, Israel’s starting position in the negotiations will be the final mediation proposal presented by the Biden administration on August 16. According to the said proposal, a six-week ceasefire will be implemented, during which Palestinian hostages and prisoners will be released, and negotiations will resume on the terms of a permanent ceasefire.
Under the proposal, the Israeli military will significantly reduce its presence on the Philadelphia axis, but will not withdraw entirely, as an Israeli official already confirmed late last week. Additionally, discussion on a permanent ceasefire will be postponed to the second phase of the agreement.
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