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SvennoJ on 11 July 2024
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Israeli media report positive steps on Gaza ceasefire talks despite disagreements

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted informed sources as saying that progress has been made towards a ceasefire deal in Gaza, but that disagreements have not been completely resolved. The negotiating team is expected to review the outcomes of the Doha meetings tonight before the members of the Ministerial Council for Political and Security Affairs.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told Haaretz that Israel vetoed the release of 15 “heavyweight prisoners” from Hamas, which the group says hold symbolic significance. Mediators are still looking for a possible compromise.

Israeli Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu’s earlier announcement that he is seeking to retain control over the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor would likely hinder a deal.

Mossad chief David Barnea told Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth that pressure on Gaza must be increased to obtain more from the ongoing negotiations.


Status of latest round of ceasefire negotiations unclear

The Americans still say they’re “cautiously optimistic” that a deal will be struck, according to White House official John Kirby, who added: “We believe we are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement, but we have not reached that point yet, and we cannot be complacent”.

On the Israeli side, Netanyahu has continued his line of saying that he supports a ceasefire deal – but emphasises that any deal shouldn’t stop Israel from continuing to fight in Gaza to defeat Hamas. The Israelis said a negotiating team was headed to Cairo to hold more talks.

Hamas official Husam Badran told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu was to blame for “disrupting the negotiations” and “manipulating … matters to serve his personal interests”. A Hamas statement on Thursday said that the group had not been provided with any updates on the negotiations.

And a Palestinian Islamic Jihad official told Reuters that the latest round of talks was over, with no agreements yet.


It's pretty clear it's not going to happen unless the USA stops funding the genocide.