Trump gives update on possible Gaza ceasefire

[Twiglets1]

Donald Trump says that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is “close” and could be reached “within the next week”.

• He made the comments late on Friday, indicating he had spoken with individuals involved in the ongoing negotiations.
• The US administration has been working on a deal following Israel's strikes in April, which shattered a previous two-month truce.
• Hamas has expressed willingness to release remaining hostages under a deal to end the war, while Israel insists on Hamas being disarmed and dismantled.
• Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to visit Washington for talks with Trump administration officials regarding Gaza, Iran, and a potential visit by Benjamin Netanyahu.

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/gaza-ceasefire-israel-hamas-trump-b2778708.html

What should Israel do to seek peace with Palestinians?

Well, they could try stopping killing them in huge numbers every day? That’s often a good start in a peace process.

Stop twisting what I said.

I said they should rescue their hostages and stop hamas from doing it again.

I never said anywhere that they should break international law.

You just seem to want an argument based on nothing I've actually said.

The facts of all Hamas' and Israels actions will need to be investigated and accounted for, but certainly not by me or you.

I am not twisting your words- I have simply reflected back what your words implied to me.

So to clarify- you do think Israel should of course obey international law when attempting to get back the hostages and deal with the threat of Hamas. You don’t think any response would necessarily always be proportionate in this goal.

We agree then!

So what do you think about the concerns raised by international law experts in the links already provided? There are others too, for example concerns raised by the EU report.

I think all parties should follow international law, and all parties should be held to account equally.

I think there's a lot of stories flying around and has been long before this war. I think a lot of arguments made are made with a large dose of intellectual dishonesty. The truth will out once investigated.

‘Tangible progress’ reported in talks for Gaza hostage deal

There has been “significant progress” in Gaza hostage release talks in Doha, according to several Hebrew-language media reports, after the mediating states presented to Israel and Hamas an updated ceasefire proposal.

“We are close to a decisive moment,” a senior official tells Channel 12. “There is tangible progress.”

“There is a green light from the prime minister to move forward on many issues,” the official continues. “The situation is encouraging.”

Diplomats told The Times of Israel yesterday that the new maps submitted by Israel would not have IDF troops holding on to the Morag Corridor.

The senior official says Israel would hold a zone 1.5 kilometers wide along the Egypt-Gaza border, and about 1 kilometer around the rest of the Strip.

The sides have not yet agreed on how many Palestinian prisoners will be released for every hostage Hamas frees, says the official, while adding that the issue is not expected to prove an obstacle for a deal.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani is expected to meet the Hamas delegation in Doha on Saturday after discussing the Gaza ceasefire efforts with US President Donald Trump in the White House yesterday, Channel 12 reports. Mediators expect Hamas to present more changes to the new proposal, but nothing that will be a dealbreaker.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/tangible-progress-reported-in-talks-for-gaza-hostage-deal/

President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, planned to head to the Middle East as the U.S. tries once again to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the State Department's spokesperson said Tuesday.

Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that Witkoff was going to the region with a “strong hope” that the U.S. can deliver a ceasefire deal as well as a new humanitarian corridor for aid distribution.

The U.S. plan calls for a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release some hostages while Israel would free Palestinian prisoners and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. During the 60 days, the sides are also to begin negotiations on a permanent end to the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas yields power and is disarmed, while Hamas says it will not release all of the hostages until the war is over. It is seeking assurances that Netanyahu will not resume the war after the 60 days, as he did in March after an early ceasefire expired.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-hamas-state-department-gaza-washington-b2794120.html