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People assess damage and remove items from homes after an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, Gaza, April 7.
CNN
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CIA Director Bill Burns has presented a new proposal to bridge the gap in ongoing negotiations to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and an agreement to release Israeli hostages held by the group. It was reported. Sources familiar with the discussions.
The latest US offer, made in Cairo over the weekend, calls for Israel to release more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages expected to be released in the first phase of a three-phase cease-fire agreement. It includes what you are asking for. Prior to the talks, CNN reported that negotiators had discussed the release of about 700 Palestinian prisoners of war, including some sentenced to life in prison.
Officials from Qatar, Egypt and Israel were in Cairo over the weekend with Burns for negotiations. According to Egyptian state media, Hamas also met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo.
The US also wants to allow Palestinian residents of northern Gaza who have fled south to return to the north without restrictions, the official said.
So far, Israel has rejected Hamas’ demands for the unrestricted return of Gazans to the north and the redeployment of IDF troops from central Gaza. A diplomat familiar with the talks told CNN that Israel insists on inspecting Palestinians moving north.
All agreed to consider the new U.S. proposal, and the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip would ultimately make a decision, the first source said. Given the difficulties in contacting Hamas leaders, who are believed to be hiding in Gaza’s vast underground tunnel system, it could take several days to get a response.
A senior Hamas official told CNN that the group would return to Cairo “as soon as the opportunity arises,” but could not give a specific date.
The official added that the latest proposal presented by Israel during talks in Egypt does not address unrestricted movement of Palestinians from the south to the north, a key demand for Israel.
” [Israeli] This proposal does not answer questions such as: [Hamas] demanded in its original proposal that any agreement should explicitly include a ceasefire and a complete withdrawal. [Israeli] Even if it happens in stages, send in the military and return the displaced people to their homes in complete freedom,” the official told CNN.
Israeli negotiators have shown a willingness in recent weeks to negotiate the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, but with limited security oversight by Israeli forces along the so-called Netzarim Corridor, which cuts through central Gaza. They keep insisting on the number of people. Number of people moving north per day.
Mediators have been trying for months to reach an agreement between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, long-running negotiations were marred by disagreements.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had received updates on the negotiations but said he would set a date for the operation in a video published on his Telegram account, underscoring his determination to send troops to Rafah. The United States has expressed opposition to such a move.
“Today I received a detailed report on the talks in Cairo. We are constantly striving to achieve our goals, primarily the release of all hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas. . This victory requires the entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen and there is a deadline, ”said Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Earlier, the representative of Qatar expressed optimism about the status of the talks.
“We are by no means at the end of the negotiations, but if you ask me if I am more optimistic today than I was a few days ago, I would say yes,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid al-Ansari said. BBC. Ansari said mediators were awaiting responses from Hamas and Israel over proposals from various parties, including the United States.
“I can’t go into the details of these proposals, but I can tell you that they bridge the gap in a way that has been done in recent months,” Ansari said.
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