Israel Nears Deal with Hamas to Discuss Hostage Release
Israel is on the verge of sending a team of negotiators to engage in talks with Hamas regarding a potential hostage release deal. This significant development has garnered praise from President Joe Biden in Washington.
The decision to dispatch a delegation for negotiations, authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signifies a new chapter in the efforts towards a ceasefire deal with Hamas and the release of hostages. The talks are likely to take place in Egypt or Qatar, with the backing of the United States.
After Qatari and Egyptian mediators presented Hamas’ response to a proposed deal to Israel, there is a sense of optimism in Jerusalem regarding the chances of reaching an agreement. Israel’s state television news highlighted the constructive nature of Hamas’ response, describing it as the ‘best’ since the initiation of indirect talks.
This development marks a renewed emphasis on negotiating an end to the nine-month-long conflict, which has resulted in the tragic deaths of over 38,000 Palestinians in the embattled enclave. The conflict escalated following a Hamas attack through southern Israel last year, leading to a massive Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip resulting in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
