by Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Signs of optimism among Israeli and Palestinian officials suggest renewed efforts are being made to reach a ceasefire agreement, even if temporary, in the Gaza Strip.
A truce would allow, for the first time in a year, a break in the fighting and the release of hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave.
The Israeli Defense Minister’s office said Wednesday that Israel Katz had told his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that there was now a chance to reach a new agreement that would allow the return of all the hostages, including including American nationals.
This would be the second truce concluded since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is expected in Israel where he will meet Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jake Sullivan will then travel to Egypt and Qatar, countries which are overseeing indirect negotiations with the United States between Israel and Hamas.
US President-elect Donald Trump said that if the hostages held in Gaza were not released before his inauguration on January 20, “the price to pay (would be) terrible”.
A US official said the comments were “not detrimental” to the negotiations, adding that the priority was to secure the release of the hostages, whether it comes at the end of Joe Biden’s term or the start of that of Donald Trump.
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s future Middle East envoy, met separately at the end of November with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Mohamed bin Adoulrahman al Thani, a source familiar with the discussions said.
ISRAEL IN A POSITION OF STRENGTH
The Israeli Prime Minister said Monday that, although it is still too early to declare victory, an agreement on the release of the hostages was possible, while Hamas is increasingly isolated.
The heads of the Israeli army and the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security services, visited Cairo on Tuesday for discussions on crossing points and border administration after the end of the war in the Gaza Strip , according to three Israeli security sources.
For Benjamin Netanyahu, concessions would be easier as Israel is now in a position of strength in the Middle East, with its enemies, Iran’s allies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria currently weakened.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday that Israel was more optimistic about reaching an agreement on the release of the hostages.
According to some reports, Hamas has asked other groups present in the Gaza Strip to establish a list of Israeli and foreign hostages still in the enclave, whether dead or alive.
A Palestinian official familiar with the discussions described “negotiations in turmoil”, with proposals being put forward by each side, including Egypt and Qatar.
Israel must still present a list of Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas a list of hostages, with a view to an exchange and plans for a truce must still be decided, however indicated the Palestinian official.
He said Hamas was willing to show flexibility if Israel agreed not to resume fighting.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Jordan and Turkey on Wednesday for discussions on the situation in Syria, the State Department announced. It is possible that he decides to go to Israel, even if this trip is not planned.
(With Steve Holland, Andrew Mills and Humeyra Pamuk, written by Howard Goller; French version Camille Raynaud)
