The latest Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar have got off to a promising start.
Meeting may held in Qatar and Doha
The White House!No immediate deal looks likely:
John Kirby The talks are expected to continue till Friday.
Negotiations are now mainly about implementation as the plan of action is largely accepted.
Kirby Hamas said on Wednesday it would not take part in the talks, but its representatives could meet with mediators later.
The White House said on Thursday that the latest Gaza ceasefire talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Were hailed by top US officials as a “promising start” but that no deal was likely to be reached immediately.
Today is a promising start:
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters,
but he said, “Given the complexity of the agreement, we do not expect that these negotiations will lead to an outcome.
” A deal will be reached today.” “The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we should bring this process to a conclusion,”
Kirby said. “We need to see the release of hostages, aid for Palestinian citizens in Gaza, security for Israel and a reduction in tensions in the region,” he said.
The talks are expected to continue till Friday. CIA Director William Burns is among the participants.
Without giving details, Kirby said the talks are now focused mainly on implementation because the plan of action has been largely accepted.
Negotiators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar met with a delegation from Israel.
Hamas statement:
Reuters reported that Hamas said on Wednesday it would not take part in the talks, but its representatives could meet with mediators later.
The importance of the ceasefire agreement:?
In addition to the ongoing fighting in Gaza and the West Bank, Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging fire on the border with Lebanon.
Yemen-based Houthis continue to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea,
and Iran has threatened retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.
Iran statement about Israel
Statement about Israel:
Iran rejected the demand not to take action against Israel Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing,it is widely blamed for Haniyeh’s death.
In addition, a Hezbollah military commander was recently killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
Three senior Iranian officials have said the only way to stop retaliation would be a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Reuters reported.
- Biden statement
Ceasefire efforts increasing but goal of peace in Gaza becoming more difficult: Biden
According to Israel, 1,200 people were killed and 250 people were taken hostage in a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
Palestinian health officials have since said that more than 40,000 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliation.
More than 100 hostages are still being held by Hamas.
Palestinian officials say most of the dead were women and children, while Israel says the majority were fighters.
