Yesterday, Thursday, the Israeli war government gave the green light to resume negotiations aimed at recovering the hostages held in the Gaza Strip, while Egypt confirmed that it remains committed to mediating in the truce talks in Gaza, and while the International Court of Justice prepares to issue its decision today, Friday, regarding a request for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel pre-empted the decision to announce its refusal to stop the war, at a time when disagreements worsened between the military establishment and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over responsibility for the failure that occurred on October 7.
Negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt between Israel and Hamas stopped in early May, and revolve around a truce in the war that has been ongoing for more than seven months, including the release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. The negotiations faltered due to an escalation in Israeli military operations in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and Hamas’ adherence to a permanent ceasefire. The Israeli decision came the day after the publication of a video showing the moment Palestinian fighters kidnapped Israeli female soldiers during the October 7 attack. Two Egyptian security sources said on Thursday that Egypt remains committed to helping negotiate a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip despite skepticism about its mediation efforts. They added that Cairo is in contact with Israel to set a date for a new round of talks. On Wednesday, Egypt threatened to withdraw from the mediation role in light of tension related to the faltering of the latest round of talks and the Israeli military incursion into the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. But a high-ranking Egyptian source confirmed that the Israeli position is still not qualified to reach a deal regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners with Hamas, according to what Cairo News Channel reported yesterday. Egyptian Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki confirmed yesterday, Thursday, that the current situation is being dealt with with the utmost wisdom to support and preserve the Palestinian cause and support the Palestinians on the basis of the two-state solution.
He added, during the activities of a tactical training project for the Second Field Army, that “the Egyptian army is capable of confronting any challenges imposed on it,” stressing that “Egypt has constants that it does not deviate from and does not take sides except in the interest of national security.”
On the other hand, an Israeli government spokesman anticipated the decision of the International Court of Justice expected today by saying that Israel will not be deterred from continuing its war on the Gaza Strip. Spokesman Avi Heyman added to reporters, in response to a question about whether Israel will comply with a possible ruling against it from the International Court of Justice today. Friday: “There is no force on the ground that can prevent Israel from protecting its citizens and pursuing Hamas in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office denied in its entirety that he had received a warning from the military establishment about Hamas’ intention to launch an attack on October 7. He confirmed in a statement issued by his office yesterday, Thursday, that the messages he received from the army did not warn him at all of an imminent Hamas attack.
He considered that the military documents did not warn him of Hamas’ intentions to attack Israel, but quite the opposite. He also added that the four documents he received explicitly indicated that the Palestinian movement does not want to attack Israel, but rather prefers to reach an agreement.
On the other hand, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Israel’s relations with Norway, Ireland and Spain will face “serious consequences” after their governments decided to recognize the State of Palestine as of next week. The ministry added in a statement after a senior official held a meeting with the ambassadors of the three countries to “reprimand” them for the step announced by their countries, “There will be additional serious consequences on relations with their countries after the decision taken” by the three countries on Wednesday.
In addition, the representative of European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, revealed that all donors in the Union have resumed their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Commenting on an initiative launched by several countries yesterday in support of the agency, Borrell added on the “X” platform yesterday, Thursday, that UNRWA represents “the indispensable lifeline” in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East region. (agencies)