Israel-Hamas talks expected to resume following Rafah strike
Israeli sources revealed that peace talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume on May 28th despite the recent airstrike on a displacement camp near Rafah that left at least 45 dead, the New Arab and agencies reported.
Israel seeks the release of the 121 hostages still in Gaza — 37 of which are presumed dead. Hamas also has steadfastly refused all proposals that do not include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. These incongruent expectations have led to a stalemate.
Following May 26th’s attack on a displacement camp northwest of Gaza, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth cited an unnamed official who said the military operation has raised doubts about the possibility of the talks resuming. Though he added that there are talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators who will relay an Israeli proposal to Hamas.
Israel’s Channel 12 broadcaster said an unnamed source referred to the proposal as “bold,” adding that the Israeli negotiating team’s mandate had recently been expanded. The issue of halting the war allegedly remains open, they added.
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Yedioth Ahronoth said the official insisted that Hamas’s insistence on a complete halt to the operation in Rafah “could derail everything.” “For Hamas, as long as we do not withdraw from Rafah, the negotiations will not resume,” he said.
Most of the Israeli war cabinet and heads of the security establishment have expressed their support for an end to the country’s Rafah offensive to conclude talks with Hamas, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes this.
Israeli channel Kan 11 quoted an unnamed foreign diplomat: “The fears we warned about regarding a military operation in Rafah are being realised, and are putting everything at risk.”
Another unnamed official reportedly said: “As long as Israel does not stop the military operation in Rafah, no agreement will be reached.”
Internally, Israel has struggled as a result of reported disputes between ministers within the war cabinet. Additionally, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan actively seeks arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The New Arab and agencies
