Gaza Strip, August 9— In a joint effort to halt the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, three key mediators—the United States, Qatar, and Egypt—have called on Hamas and Israel to return to the negotiating table. Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's agreement to resume discussions, Hamas has yet to respond positively.
The proposed talks are scheduled to begin on August 15, contingent on mutual agreement from both parties. The negotiations could take place in either Doha, Qatar, or Cairo, Egypt, according to reports from France24 and Al Jazeera.
In a statement released on Thursday, the three mediating nations emphasized the urgency of resuming talks without delay, stating that the remaining issues pertain mainly to the details of implementing an already proposed framework agreement. This framework, they noted, is now on the table, and resolving the outstanding gaps is critical to moving forward.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Israel is prepared to send a delegation to participate in the talks, indicating a willingness to engage in negotiations following the mediators' intervention.
However, Hamas has yet to make an official statement regarding its participation in the proposed talks. The group's stance remains a crucial factor in whether the peace process can proceed.
This development comes after a prolonged period of conflict, which intensified dramatically on October 7 of last year when Hamas launched a significant military operation against Israel. The ensuing Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than a million injured, most of whom are women and children.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, have been ongoing with the goal of establishing a ceasefire. Hamas has maintained that any cessation of hostilities must include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
On the other side, Netanyahu has remained firm in his position, asserting that the military campaign against Hamas will not cease until the group is fully dismantled.
The international community now watches closely as the proposed peace talks hang in the balance, with the hope that a diplomatic resolution might finally bring an end to the devastating conflict in Gaza.
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