2024-02-07 15:54:47
► Where are the negotiations around a truce agreement?
Since the truce proposal formulated in Paris at the end of January by American, Qatari and Egyptian officials, discussions have intensified and shuttles have accelerated between Tel Aviv, Cairo and Doha. The truce concluded at the end of November allowed the increased entry of humanitarian aid and the release of around a hundred hostages in exchange for that of dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
After Egypt and Qatar, Antony Blinken was in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Wednesday February 7 for his fifth regional tour since October 7. While hoping for an agreement, the head of American diplomacy declared that it remained ” a lot of work “. A new round of discussions is planned for Thursday February 8 in Cairo, according to Egyptian media.
The head of American diplomacy intends to use all his weight to secure an essential truce for the families of the 132 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip and for Gazan civilians. Without a total ceasefire, the massive humanitarian aid necessary for the 2.4 million Gazans, in the midst of security, food and medical distress, cannot be delivered safely.
Westerners and Arab countries also have in mind a deadline that is getting closer by the day: Ramadan, scheduled for around March 10, known to be a source of tension in the region and during which Israeli bombings would be seen as incendiary. in the Muslim world.
► On what basis are the negotiations based?
The initial framework for the negotiations is that established in Paris following talks organized at the end of January. This is a proposed agreement in three stages: the first called for a six-week ceasefire and the release of a certain number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 35 to 40 Israeli hostages, women, men over 60 years old and in poor health. The second stage would see the release of soldiers and men under the age of 60. The third would include the return of the bodies of hostages held by Hamas and fighters guarded by Israel.
► What does Hamas’ counterproposal contain?
According to the Reuters agency, the Islamist movement is proposing a ceasefire plan in three stages, spread over four and a half months (135 days). In its counter-proposal, Hamas says it is ready to release all Israeli hostages, men under 19, the oldest and sick during the first 45 days of truce, in exchange for detained Palestinian women and children. by Israel. The rest of the hostages would be released in the second phase and the bodies exchanged in the third. The movement is demanding the release of a total of 1,500 Palestinian detainees, a third of whom are serving life sentences. Hamas hopes that by the end of this third stage, the two parties will have reached a permanent ceasefire agreement.
He also demands, according to the pan-Arab media Al-Jazeera, the return of the 1.3 million displaced people to their places of residence, freedom of movement in the Gaza Strip, the opening of crossing points as well as a massive increase humanitarian aid, an essential prelude to the reconstruction that Hamas wants to see completed in three years.
The Palestinian Islamist movement wants five countries – Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Turkey, Russia – and the United Nations to guarantee the implementation of the agreement.
According to Al-Jazeera and the Israeli daily HaaretzHamas finally demands the right to review the authorization granted by Israel to Jews in 2003 to visit the Temple Mount/Esplanade of Mosques where the Al-Aqsa mosque is located.
A counter-proposal qualified as“a little exaggerated” Tuesday evening by US President Joe Biden.
► What is still blocking?
On the Hamas side, the dissensions between the Gazan leaders – Yahya Sinwar in the lead – and the political wing in exile in Qatar – Ismaïl Haniyeh – seem to have been overcome.
On the Israeli side, Hamas’ counter-proposal was transmitted to the head of Mossad, Israeli foreign intelligence, David Barnea, a key player in the negotiation, for examination. Antony Blinken’s mission aims in particular to lift the last blockages, starting with the promise of a total ceasefire, still excluded in recent days by Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the names of senior Palestinian officials eligible for release. .
Benyamin Netanyahu is caught between his far-right allies within the government, resistant to any concession, and his public opinion. According to a monthly survey by theIsraël Democracy Institute51% of Israelis surveyed are primarily in favor of the return of the hostages rather than the overthrow of Hamas (36%).
—–
#moving #blocking #negotiations