“There is significant progress in the negotiations” between Hamas and Israel on the proposed ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza: This was announced by the Egyptian broadcaster Al-Qahera News, linked to the country’s secret services, citing an anonymous source. Egyptian mediators have “reached an agreed formula on most of the disputed points,” she added.
Senior Israeli officials report that according to initial indications Hamas will agree to carry out the first phase of the agreement – the humanitarian release of hostages – without an official commitment from Israel to end the war. Axios’ X Barak Ravid made this known.
“We are anxiously waiting to see Hamas’s final position. The information has not yet arrived,” an Israeli source was quoted by Haaretz as saying, adding that “in light of past experiences, even though Hamas says it is following the pattern, the small details and the reservations he will present could cause the agreement to dissolve.”
“Hamas is the only obstacle to the ceasefire in Gaza,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, as the militants prepare to send a delegation to Cairo for talks. “We’re waiting to see if, in fact, they’re going to take a yes response to a ceasefire and hostage release,” Blinken stressed. “The reality right now is that the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas.”
“An Israeli attack on Rafah would cause damage beyond acceptable,” the US Secretary of State warned. According to Blinken, Israel has not presented any plans to protect civilians during this possible attack. “In the absence of such a plan, we cannot support a large-scale military operation in Rafah, because the damage it would cause would be beyond what is acceptable,” he said during the McCain Institute Forum in Sedona, Arizona.
More than a million Palestinians displaced by the war are crowded into the city in the southern Gaza Strip but, according to Blinken, Israel has not presented any plans to protect civilians during this possible attack. “In the absence of such a plan, we cannot support a large-scale military operation in Rafah, because the damage it would cause would be beyond what is acceptable.”
The number of Palestinians killed in heavy armed clashes near Tulkarem, in the West Bank, has risen to 6. This was reported by the Wafa agency. On site, the IDF and police forces operated for over 13 hours in the village of Deir al-Ghusun near Tulkarem, surrounding – Israeli media said – a house “where the terrorists were hiding until they attacked and destroyed it”. According to the same source, “Israeli forces are now leaving the city after more than 12 hours.”
ANSA Agency Pro-Gaza protests, hunger strike in Princeton – News – Ansa.it Pro-Palestine mobilizations in universities around the world, Sciences Po evacuated to Paris. Police clear New York University encampment. And messages of thanks appear on the tents in Rafah (ANSA)Media, Qatar available on request US expulsion of Hamas
Qatar is ready to accept the US request to expel the Hamas leadership, including Ismail Haniyeh, from Doha. A source familiar with the dossier told the Times of Israel. According to the Washington Post (WP), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month delivered the request to “expel” Hamas leaders from the country if they continue to reject the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Blinken – according to the newspaper – delivered this message to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani last month. The WP also reported that Qatar had been waiting for the US request for months.
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