“There is significant progress in the negotiations” between Hamas and Israel on the proposed ceasefire and release of hostages 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 points of dispute,” she added.
Talks to reach an agreement on the ceasefire have resumed in Cairo. According to Egyptian media, there is “significant progress” and the release of the hostages is close. Even though Israel says the war will go ahead anyway, it appears that Hamas will agree to release the abducted people on March 7. “We are anxiously waiting to see Hamas’ final position. The information has not yet arrived,” said an Israeli source quoted by Haaretz, adding that “in light of past experiences, even if Hamas says it is following the outline, the small details and reservations it will present could cause the agreement to dissolve .”
Blinken warns: “An attack on Rafah would have unacceptable consequences.” Meanwhile, the Wafa agency reports that six Palestinians were killed in the West Bank.
Israel could free Barghouti
Israel no longer opposes Hamas’s demand for release Marwan Barghouti of Fatah as part of the hostage and ceasefire negotiations. This is what the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, based in London, reports, citing sources close to the negotiations, relaunched by the Times of Israel. According to the newspaper, Israel is insisting that Barghouti go to Gaza rather than the West Bank if he is released. Barghouti was arrested by Israel in 2002 and is serving 5 life sentences on charges of planning 3 attacks during the Second Intifada
