Netanyahu approves sending new team to negotiate with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday authorized the dispatch of a new negotiating team to discuss with Hamas the possibility of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages.

Netanyahu later met with his security cabinet to set out Israel’s position in negotiations that are expected to begin in the coming days, but whose venue is still unknown, although so far they have taken place in Egypt and Qatar, Israeli media reported.

In recent weeks, talks between the two sides have not been successful, amidst accusations from both sides over the failure of the talks. Hamas is demanding that Israel stop its attacks and withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip, which has been suffering a serious humanitarian crisis since the bombings.

For its part, Israel is insisting on a temporary ceasefire that would facilitate the release of the 100 or so hostages still held by Hamas in exchange for the Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons, while insisting that its plan involves the total defeat of the Islamist group.

Netanyahu’s decision comes after reviewing Hamas’ response to the latest proposal on the table, that of US President Joe Biden, although it has not been made clear to what extent it would deviate from this three-stage plan that envisages a temporary ceasefire as a preliminary step to a permanent end to hostilities, the exchange of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.