The United States, Egypt and Qatar have issued a joint statement calling on Israel and Hamas to resume talks on a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The statement said the three countries had drawn up a “framework agreement” with “only implementation details remaining to be finalised”.
Israel said it would send negotiators to the proposed talks, scheduled for August 15 in Doha or Cairo. Hamas did not immediately respond.
This new diplomatic effort will be seen as an attempt to prevent regional tensions from spiraling out of control, after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated last weekIran, blaming Israel, has vowed to respond – although Israel has not commented directly on the killing.
In a joint statement, the three countries invited Israel and Hamas to restart talks on August 15 “to close any remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without further delay”.
“As an intermediary, if necessary, we are ready to make a final proposal to resolve the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
It said the framework agreement was based on previous “principles” outlined by President Biden on May 31 – will begin with a complete ceasefire and the release of some hostages – and be confirmed by United Nations Security Council.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday evening that he spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to brief him on changes to US forces in the region and “reinforce my absolute support for Israel’s defense.”
“I also stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza to release the hostages,” he said.
Despite several rounds of talks, the challenge of achieving a ceasefire and a hostage release deal has so far remained elusive.
Hamas is pushing for a ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the conflict can only stop once Hamas is defeated.
Israel continued its bombing of the Gaza Strip on Thursday. The Hamas-run Gaza Civil Defense said it attacked two schools, killing more than 18 people. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas command centers.
Any proposed talks could become more difficult now that Hamas has elected Yahya Sinwar as its new leader to replace Haniyeh.
Sinwar, who Israel says was responsible for planning and carrying out the October 7 attacks, is considered one of the group’s members. the most extreme numbers.
Amid fears of an attack from Iran or its allies, Israel’s security cabinet met in an underground bunker on Thursday, instead of its usual meeting location, Israel’s Channel 13 reported.
