Ariane Ménage (Correspondent in Tel-Aviv) / Photo credits: AMIR LEVY / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Between Israel and Hamas, negotiations for a ceasefire continue and are making slow progress. The continuation of the talks still indicates a softening of the Palestinian Islamist movement’s demands.
Israel made the pledge on Sunday, a day after a shooting that killed 12 teenagers in the annexed Syrian Golan Heights was blamed on Lebanon’s Hezbollah, raising fears of a regional flare-up amid the war in the Gaza Strip. On the diplomatic side, talks continue: A delegation will be sent to Qatar next week to resume talks with mediators as talks with Hamas toward a Gaza ceasefire are slipping. The Jewish state believes in filling the gaps.
Relaxation of requirements
For now, very few details have filtered out of the new Hamas proposal sent this week, but the continuation of the talks still indicates a softening of the Palestinian Islamist movement’s demands.
Hamas should have specifically abandoned Israel’s commitment to a firm ceasefire from the first phase of the deal, which should have included at least three. For the rest, one of the main debates is about the transition from Phase I to Phase II of the agreement.
Israeli officials told reporters that the Hebrew government wants guarantees to ensure its implementation. Officials have expressed cautious optimism for days. They confirm significant progress, but still warn: these new negotiations will last several weeks.
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