SOURCES SAY CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY
Qatar, the US and Egypt have for weeks shuttled between Israel and Hamas making an attempt to dealer phrases for a break in combating, which might additionally permit in additional meals and medical provides.
Greater than 130 hostages are nonetheless being held in Gaza, in keeping with Israeli tallies.
In November, all sides blamed the opposite for the collapse of a seven-day truce wherein Hamas had freed girls, kids and overseas hostages in alternate for each day releases of Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
However the two sides remain at odds over how to permanently end the war, which Hamas insists have to be determined as a part of any ceasefire settlement, sources instructed Reuters.
Commenting on the report of ceasefire negotiations shortly after the 2 far-right companions in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition expressed robust issues, authorities spokesperson Ilana Stein issued a flat denial.
“Israel won’t quit on the destruction of Hamas, the return of all of the hostages, and there will likely be no safety menace from Gaza in the direction of Israel,” she stated in a briefing.
“There will likely be no ceasefire. Prior to now there have been pauses for humanitarian functions. That settlement was breached by Hamas.”