Gaza ceasefire discussions intensify amid regional mediation
A Hamas representative stated on June 25th that Gaza ceasefire discussions involving Israel and Hamas have “intensified in recent hours” with intermediaries, according to Middle East Eye via AFP.
The representative, Taher al-Nunu, declared: “Our communications with the brother mediators in Egypt and Qatar have not stopped and have intensified in recent hours.” Al-Nunu mentioned that Hamas has “not yet received” fresh truce offers concerning the conflict.
The political campaigner, Bishara Bahbah, who is serving as a negotiator for the truce in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, stated on June 24th that an agreement might be finalised within “days,” according to The Times of Israel.
Bishara Bahbah stated in an interview with the Jordanian Al Ghad TV channel that he felt hopeful about the likelihood of an accord following the truce reached just hours earlier between Israel and Iran, asserting that it placed Gaza back at the forefront of the region’s focus.
Nevertheless, a high-ranking Arab diplomat informed The Times of Israel that he did not share the same optimism, asserting that Israel has remained firm in its rejection to give a clear pledge to permanently halt the war.
Instead, Israel proposed staggering the release of captives throughout the temporary ceasefire, as Hamas has insisted. However, as the Arab diplomat stated, the sequence of the releases does not pose a significant barrier to reaching an agreement.
On June 26th, Magrebi reported via Middle East Eye that 62% of Israelis, a clear majority, support the idea of their nation securing a deal with Hamas to free the hostages held in Gaza and to halt the conflict, according to a Walla poll.
A previous Channel 12 poll also showed that only a quarter of Israelis endorse the concept of occupying Gaza and widening the conflict, the BBC reported on May 21st.
Earlier this month, on June 9th, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is involved in talks aimed at concluding a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and Israel, Maghrebi via The New Arab plus agencies reported.
At a gathering in the White House, Trump told the press that “Gaza right now is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved, and we’ll see what’s going to happen with Gaza. We want to get the hostages back.”
Middle East Eye, AFP, The Times of Israel, Maghrebi.org, The New Arab plus agencies, Walla, Channel 12, BBC
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
