2024-12-16 21:30:00
Israeli negotiators “have never been so close to an agreement” on the release of hostages in Gaza, says defense minister
According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, whose statements were confirmed to Agence France-Presse by his spokesperson, the negotiators “I have never been so close to an agreement” ahead of the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip after the November 2023 truce.
The minister made the remarks Monday to members of the Israeli parliament’s foreign affairs committee. These words, spoken behind closed doors, were quoted by the Israeli press, before being confirmed by Katz’s spokesperson.
“About the possibility of reaching an agreement on the exchange of prisoners and a ceasefire between the occupiers [Israël] and resistance [le Hamas et d’autres groupes palestiniens]I think we’re actually closer to the goal than we’ve ever been before, if [Benyamin] Netanyahu is not intentionally derailing things like he has done every time.”a Hamas official contacted in Doha confirmed to Agence France-Presse on condition of anonymity.
The spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, during a press conference in Washington, judged the negotiations to be fruitful, despite noting the persistence of blocking points. “We push hard [possible] and we think we can reach an agreement. But once again he will return to dealing with Hamas and Israel (…) to get him to cross the finish line”Mr. Miller said.
In Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s office announced that the prime minister met in the evening with Adam Boehler, designated by US president-elect Donald Trump as his special envoy for the hostages.
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