2023-10-13 06:13:05
That said, the option of negotiations has not been completely ruled out. Several actors in the region are ready to play mediators between Israel and Hamas. “In hostage cases, there are often mediatorsexplains the author of “The Ransom of Terror“. We remember, for example, that in the deal for the release of Gilad Shalit, Egypt played a major role since Egypt has very good channels of discussion with Gaza and also very good intelligence services established in Gaza. Another possibility is to go through Qatar, which also has experience in releasing hostages. There is also the case of Turkey. We know that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed. Finally, there is the ICRC. The International Committee of the Red Cross has extensive experience in the field and is used, in armed conflicts, through its position of neutrality, to act as intermediary.“
Imene Trabelsi, the ICRC regional spokesperson on the issue of hostages in Gaza, explained to us that discussions are currently being held.with all parties involved in this situation, including Hamas. NOTWe are ready to visit detained people and facilitate communication with their families, because they have the right to know what is happening to their loved ones. We are ready to facilitate an exchange transaction.”
In addition to the hostage issue, the ICRC implores both sides to reduce civilian suffering: “Families in Gaza already struggle to access clean water. No parent wants to be forced to give dirty water to a thirsty child“, a barely hidden allusion to the complete siege of the Gaza Strip imposed by Israel since Monday.
It is now up to Israel and Hamas to decide on the outcome of the negotiation and, for the moment, both parties are opting for firmness.
At this stage, no official release has taken place. Hamas threatened to execute hostages”every time our people are targeted without warning” by Israeli strikes.
For its part, Israel announced that it would not allow the entry of basic necessities or humanitarian aid into Gaza until the Palestinian Islamist movement had freed those kidnapped last Saturday.
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