Hamas and Israel ease negotiating conditions, agree on 40-day ceasefire in Gaza

A new round of indirect talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip resumed in the Qatari capital Doha on January 3, with Hamas affirming its readiness to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Palestinians walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes, in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2024. (Source: Reuters)

The National News of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 3 quoted sources as saying that negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release between Hamas and Israel have made significant progress, after both sides eased their conditions.

Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire lasting up to 40 days, dropping its demand for written assurances from mediators that Israel would continue negotiations until a permanent ceasefire was reached, the sources added.

Under the temporary truce, a “limited” release of hostages, including female Israeli soldiers, would be made in exchange for the freedom of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israel also agreed to withdraw from a strip of land running along the border between Egypt and Gaza on the Palestinian side, including the Rafah crossing.

In a statement on January 3, Mr. Basem Naim, a senior official of the Hamas movement, said that a new round of indirect negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip had resumed in the capital Doha of Qatar on January 3, and affirmed that the group was ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

New talks in Qatar focus on agreeing a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The National News quoted a source as saying that the Israeli delegation is continuing meetings in Doha to narrow the gap with Hamas.

The resumption of stalled talks represents a final push by the Biden administration to reach a ceasefire in Gaza before he leaves office on January 20.

In a related development, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby praised Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to send a negotiating team to Doha, Qatar to continue talks on the hostage issue in Gaza.

“We welcome Israel’s decision and think it is an encouraging step,” Mr. John Kirby said, reiterating his call for Hamas to end the conflict by agreeing to a ceasefire.

Also on January 3, according to the Times of Israel , the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency session on the war in Gaza, discussing Israel's recent raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern part of this Palestinian territory.

The meeting was held at the request of Algeria, the representative of the Arab bloc at the UN Security Council.

Earlier, Israel said it had sent troops back to Kamal Adwan hospital after Hamas militants continued to operate there under the guise of medical staff and patients, killing 19 people.

Meanwhile, Hamas-run health authorities said Israeli strikes had killed 50 people, including hospital staff.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hamas-va-israel-giam-nhe-dieu-kien-dam-phan-nhat-tri-lenh-ngung-ban-40-ngay-tai-gaza-299664.html