Prospects of peace in Gaza are slowing but tangibly growing as Israel and Hamas appear committed to hammering out a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Choi Soo-hyung explains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a delegation to negotiate a new ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.
The announcement comes a day after reports emerged that the Palestinian militant group had sent a new ceasefire proposal.
David Barnea, the director of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, will visit Qatar, the mediator country, as the head of the negotiating team.
Hamas also stated that they have agreed to some of Israel’s proposals positively.
According to Reuters, ceasefire negotiations are set to start on Saturday.
This raises hopes for a breakthrough.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Netanyahu had also discussed the new ceasefire and hostage release deal over the phone with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday.
But during the talks, the Israeli leader also emphasized his firm stance that he would only end the war once all goals have been achieved.
The White House stated that President Biden welcomed Israel’s joining in negotiations with the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, and reaffirmed its strong support for Israel.
The U.S. government official also said in an online briefing that there is a “pretty significant opening” to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, there has been an increase in fighting between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has targeted military bases in northern Israel with 200 rockets in total fired.
The group says it is retaliation for an Israeli airstrike that killed a senior commander on Wednesday.
An Israeli officer was killed by the strike and Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon in response.
Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272928
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