The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said that reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and an exchange of prisoners is possible “if the occupation stops setting new conditions,” while the White House expressed its optimism about the progress of the negotiations. This coincided with conflicting news about a planned visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Cairo.
Hamas said – in a statement published today, Tuesday, on its official website on Telegram – that it confirms, “In light of the serious and positive discussions that Doha is witnessing today under the auspices of the mediator brothers (in the two countries), Qatar and Egypt, reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation stops… Establish new conditions.
Hamas has repeatedly stressed that any prisoner exchange agreement must lead to an end to the aggression on the Gaza Strip and the return of the displaced to their areas. It has previously accused Netanyahu of procrastinating and setting new conditions to thwart efforts to reach an agreement.
In recent days, Israeli officials spoke of progress in the swap deal negotiations, and a spokesman for Netanyahu indicated on Monday the possibility of reaching an agreement before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
The American position
On the other hand, the White House said that it continues to “work actively to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza. But what we understand from our team is that nothing is imminent yet.”
Earlier, White House National Security Communications Coordinator John Kirby said in an interview with Fox News that American officials believe that Hamas and Israel are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement.
Kirby said, “We believe – and the Israelis said so – that we are getting close, there is no doubt about it. We believe that, but we are also cautious in our optimism… We have reached such a situation before and were not able to reach the finish line.”
Trump held a telephone conversation with Netanyahu yesterday, Monday, during which they discussed stopping the war on Gaza and restoring Israeli prisoners.
Trump described the conversation as “very good,” while a spokesman for Netanyahu said that the US president-elect told the Israeli prime minister that he wanted to see the war come to an end.
Israeli news reports spoke of achieving “unprecedented progress” towards reaching an exchange deal, but they also pointed to gaps related to the number of Israeli prisoners who will be released, and the stages of implementing the potential agreement.
“Netanyahu is not in Cairo”
Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports about a planned visit by the Israeli Prime Minister to Cairo.
Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that Netanyahu is heading to the Egyptian capital on Tuesday to hold talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The sources added that a ceasefire agreement is expected to be signed in Gaza in the coming days.
However, a spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister said that “Netanyahu is not in Cairo,” and an Egyptian source denied to the Cairo News Channel reports of an upcoming visit.
Amit Siegel, a journalist for the Israeli Channel 12, said, “Contrary to the Reuters report, Netanyahu is not on his way to Cairo. He may be there in half an hour, a day, or a year, but at these moments he is not there.”
On the other hand, the Israeli opposition and families of prisoners continue to pressure Netanyahu to conclude an agreement to return all prisoners from Gaza, and not a partial deal as reported in the local media.
Former Israeli female prisoners in Gaza said on Tuesday that Hamas wants a comprehensive deal, “and our government is looking for half-solutions.”
He added, “A partial deal will leave a wound in the hearts of Israeli society for generations.”
The opposition and families of Israeli prisoners accuse Netanyahu of obstructing reaching an agreement to maintain his position and government, as extremist ministers – including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich – threaten to withdraw from the government and topple it if he accepts ending the war on Gaza.
Source : Tel Aviv Tribune + Agencies + Israeli press
