He said, “The two issues currently on the agenda are the Philadelphi axis and the Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released. The elements that form the focus of the talks are humanitarian aid to Gaza, the exchange of kidnapped and detained people, and ceasefire arrangements.”
Regarding the exchange of Palestinian and Israeli prisoners, the official explained, “Last week we focused on it a lot during the negotiations. We talked about the list of kidnapped people and there was progress, but since then kidnapped people have been killed, and we demand that the Palestinian factions movement bear responsibility. And now more than that, some of the Palestinian prisoners who will be released are senior officials.”
However, the official stressed: “The Israelis will have veto power over some prisoners, especially in the first phase (which is expected to include female abductees, female soldiers, men over 50, and the wounded).”
“There is a list of the kidnapped, but now there are six fewer names, which is terrible, and the factions’ movement is threatening to execute more kidnapped. We understand that we are dealing with a terrorist organization. There is a certain number of prisoners for each kidnapped. Now there are fewer kidnapped, which is tragic and terrifying,” he added.
Regarding humanitarian aid to the Strip, he said, “During the previous agreement in November, there were 200 trucks entering the Strip daily. This time, if the factions agree to release the kidnapped, there will be 600 trucks daily, including 50 fuel trucks. In addition, the aid will include the restoration and reconstruction of hospitals, water infrastructure, bakeries, and assistance in resettling Palestinians who were transferred from their places of residence. This is significant aid and has already been agreed upon.”
Regarding the ceasefire arrangements, the source said: “There is a three-stage plan that you know. In the first stage, the withdrawal from densely populated areas. And within 42 days, we will talk about the second stage. When the agreement begins, it should eventually lead to a complete ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.”
“We have been working with Qatar and Egypt on a comprehensive package,” the official said cautiously. “The execution of course affects the content and also adds urgency, but it also raises questions about the seriousness of the factions’ movement regarding the deal.”
Regarding the Philadelphi Corridor, he added: “The proposal includes a significant reduction in Israeli forces, but it is still a controversial issue. The first stage is about withdrawing from densely populated areas, and the second stage is a complete withdrawal, which will be agreed upon during the talks between the two stages. In light of the fact that there was a discussion about what constitutes a densely populated area along the corridor, the Israelis presented a proposal according to which they will significantly reduce their presence in Netzarim, which is a fairly significant reduction, but outside the densely populated areas, which is technically in line with the deal. At the moment, there is agreement on 14 of the 18 items in the deal.”
However, the source stressed that “nothing is final. There is disagreement on some issues, even within Israel.”
He also attacked the Israeli government, saying: “All the statements of the ministers in Israel that we do not take Israel’s security into consideration are simply incorrect and cause nothing but harm.”
Osama Hamdan, an official in the factions movement, responded to the talk in an interview with a Qatari channel: “The talk about withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor in the second phase of the deal raises two questions: If Israel is prepared to cooperate with the idea of withdrawal, why not in the first phase? The second question is why will there not be a withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor, as there will be a withdrawal from other areas in the Gaza Strip in the first phase? We need the US administration to show a desire and seriousness to stop the aggression and for Israel to commit to what it has proposed. If the US administration is unable to oblige Israel, the question is what is the credibility of presenting new ideas if it is not possible in the end to force Israel to commit to them.”
Source: Agencies
#official #details #prisoner #swap #deal #Gaza #ceasefire
2024-09-07 10:46:21
Table of Contents
Stalled Gaza Ceasefire Talks: Understanding the Key Issues
The Gaza ceasefire talks have stalled once again, with Israel’s demand to retain a military presence in the region being a major point of contention. According to officials close to the negotiations, Israel wants to maintain a military presence in a narrow buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor [[2]]. This has raised concerns among Palestinian factions, who see it as a threat to their sovereignty.
Key Issues on the Agenda
The talks, which have been ongoing for months, are focused on three key issues: humanitarian aid to Gaza, the exchange of kidnapped and detained people, and ceasefire arrangements. An official involved in the negotiations explained that the two issues currently on the agenda are the Philadelphi axis and the Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released [[1]].
Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, the official said that if the factions agree to release the kidnapped, there will be a significant increase in aid, with 600 trucks entering the Strip daily, including 50 fuel trucks. This aid package will also include the restoration and reconstruction of hospitals, water infrastructure, bakeries, and assistance in resettling Palestinians who were transferred from their places of residence [[1]].
Exchange of Prisoners
The exchange of Palestinian and Israeli prisoners is another critical issue on the agenda. The official explained that progress was made on the list of kidnapped people last week, but since then, some of the kidnapped have been killed, and the Palestinian factions movement is being held responsible. The Israelis will have veto power over some prisoners, especially in the first phase, which is expected to include female abductees, female soldiers, men over 50, and the wounded [[1]].
Ceasefire Arrangements
The ceasefire arrangements are a three-stage plan, with the first stage involving the withdrawal from densely populated areas. Within 42 days, the second stage will be discussed, which will eventually lead to a complete ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces [[1]].
The Philadelphi Corridor: A Major Roadblock
The Philadelphi Corridor has emerged as a major roadblock in the talks. The proposal includes a significant reduction in Israeli forces, but it is still a controversial issue. The Israelis have presented a proposal to significantly reduce their presence in Netzarim, which is a fairly significant reduction, but outside the densely populated areas, which is technically in line with the deal [[1]].
Disagreements and Uncertainty
Despite progress on some issues, disagreements remain, even within Israel. The source stressed that “nothing is final” and that there is disagreement on some issues, even within Israel [[1]]. The uncertainty surrounding the talks has raised doubts about the prospects of a successful ceasefire agreement.
U.S. Involvement
The Biden administration has been involved in the negotiations, but has hit major roadblocks, raising doubts about the success of the talks [[3]].
As the talks continue, it remains to be seen whether a breakthrough can be achieved. The issues at stake are complex and sensitive, and a solution will require compromise and cooperation from all parties involved.
Who is right Israel or Palestine
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Comprehensive Overview
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a decades-long process of trial and error, with both sides striving to reach a peaceful agreement [[3]]. The conflict is multifaceted, encompassing issues such as the Philadelphi axis, the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and ceasefire arrangements.
The Philadelphi Axis
The Philadelphi Corridor, a contentious issue in the current negotiations, refers to the border area between Gaza and Egypt. The proposal includes a significant reduction in Israeli forces, with the first stage involving the withdrawal from densely populated areas and the second stage aiming for a complete withdrawal [[1]]. However, the definition of a densely populated area along the corridor remains a point of contention.
The Exchange of Prisoners
The exchange of Palestinian and Israeli prisoners is a critical component of the negotiations. The official explained that the Israelis will have veto power over some prisoners, especially in the first phase, which is expected to include female abductees, female soldiers, men over 50, and the wounded [[1]]. The release of senior Palestinian officials is also a point of discussion.
Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is a vital aspect of the negotiations. The previous agreement in November allowed for 200 trucks to enter the Strip daily. In the current proposal, if the factions agree to release the kidnapped, there will be 600 trucks daily, including 50 fuel trucks [[1]]. The aid package also includes the restoration and reconstruction of hospitals, water infrastructure, bakeries, and assistance in resettling Palestinians who were transferred from their places of residence.
Ceasefire Arrangements
The ceasefire arrangements involve a three-stage plan, with the first stage involving the withdrawal from densely populated areas and the second stage leading to a complete ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces [[1]]. The third stage will be agreed upon during the talks between the two stages.
International Involvement
The Netherlands, among other countries, supports a two-state solution to the conflict, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution [[2]]. The international community has been working with Qatar and Egypt to facilitate a comprehensive package, which includes humanitarian aid, prisoner exchange, and ceasefire arrangements.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite progress in the negotiations, there are still disagreements on some issues, even within Israel [[1]]. The factions’ movement has threatened to execute more kidnapped individuals, raising concerns about the seriousness of their commitment to the deal. The Israeli government has been accused of not taking Israel’s security into consideration, which has been deemed incorrect and harmful by the official.
Conclusion
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex and sensitive issue, with multiple stakeholders and competing interests. Reaching a peaceful agreement will require compromise, cooperation, and a commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution. As the negotiations continue, it is essential to prioritize humanitarian aid, prisoner exchange, and ceasefire arrangements to create a foundation for a lasting peace.
