DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accredited sending the director of the Mossad overseas intelligence company to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his workplace stated Saturday, in an indication of progress in talks on the battle in Gaza.
It was not instantly clear when David Barnea would journey to Qatar’s capital, Doha, for the newest spherical of oblique talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group. His presence means high-level Israeli officers who would want to log off on any settlement at the moment are concerned.
Only one temporary ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of battle, and that was within the earliest weeks of preventing. The talks mediated by america, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then.
Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas’ means to combat in Gaza. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory. On Thursday, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed within the battle, the bulk ladies and youngsters, although it doesn’t say what number of had been fighters or civilians.
Additionally being despatched to Qatar are the top of Israel’s Shin Guess inner safety company and navy and political advisers. Netanyahu’s workplace stated the choice adopted a gathering along with his protection minister, safety chiefs and negotiators “on behalf of the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations.”
The workplace additionally launched a photograph displaying Netanyahu with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, who was in Qatar this week.
Households of the roughly 100 hostages nonetheless held in Gaza after being seized within the Oct. 7, 2023 militant assault that sparked the battle are urgent Netanyahu to achieve a deal to convey their family members dwelling.
The restoration of two hostages’ our bodies previously week renewed fears that point is operating out. Hamas has stated that after months of heavy preventing, it isn’t certain who’s alive or lifeless.
“Return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one — the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland,” stated a press release by a bunch representing some hostages’ households.
Israel and Hamas are additionally underneath stress from outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and Trump to achieve a deal earlier than the Jan. 20 inauguration.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated this week a deal is “very close” and he hoped to finish it earlier than handing over diplomacy to the incoming Trump administration. However U.S. officers have expressed comparable optimism on a number of events over the previous 12 months.
Points within the talks have included which hostages can be launched within the first a part of a phased ceasefire deal, which Palestinian prisoners can be launched and the extent of any Israeli troop withdrawal from inhabitants facilities in Gaza.
Hamas and different teams killed some 1,200 folks and took about 250 hostages into Gaza within the assault that began the battle. A truce in November 2023 freed greater than 100 hostages, whereas others have been rescued or their stays have been recovered over the previous 12 months. The Israeli navy says it has killed over 17,000 militants in its offensive, with out offering proof.
Inside Gaza
On Saturday, an airstrike killed a 5-year-old lady and two male relations in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, in line with Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the place an AP staff noticed them.
The lady’s physique, in a pink sweater, was wrapped in foil and positioned on the ground of the morgue. Her father knelt and pressed his face to hers. “God!” he cried.
One other Israeli airstrike killed no less than eight Palestinians together with two youngsters and two ladies in a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza, in line with the Civil Protection, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run authorities. It stated the strike on the Halawa faculty that shelters displaced folks within the Jabaliya space additionally wounded 30 others, together with 19 youngsters.
Israel’s navy stated it struck a Hamas command middle at a former faculty in Jabaliya, with out giving proof.
And a strike killed 4 folks on a road in Gaza Metropolis, stated Civil Protection spokesperson Mahmoud Basal. Total, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated no less than 32 our bodies had arrived at hospitals previously 24 hours.
“I ask the world, do you hear us? Do we exist?” stated Hamza Saleh, one of many overwhelming majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents who’ve been displaced. He spoke Friday within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis as youngsters and others jostled for meals help, whereas starvation grows.
Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel.
