Washington – Axios quoted two American sources as saying that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and discussed the issue of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages.
A source told Axios that Trump’s call was intended to encourage Netanyahu to accept the deal, but said he did not know if that was what the former president actually told Netanyahu. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Late last month, Netanyahu visited the United States and met with President Joe Biden, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and Trump.
Egypt, the United States and Qatar set Thursday as a date for a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Biden announced a three-phase ceasefire proposal in a speech on May 31. Washington and mediators from the region have since been trying to arrange a ceasefire deal in Gaza in exchange for the return of the hostages, but they have faced repeated obstacles.
The Palestinian factions movement said on Wednesday that it would not participate in the new round of ceasefire talks in Gaza scheduled for Thursday in Qatar, but an official familiar with the talks said that mediators expect to consult with the movement later.
Washington, Israel’s most important ally, said a ceasefire in Gaza would limit the growing chances of war spreading across the Middle East.
The risk of a wider war has been growing since the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, which prompted threats of retaliation from Israel.
Reuters
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2024-08-15 17:03:01
