Frustration in Washington.. Israel decides not to participate in the ceasefire talks in Gaza

Politico quoted two sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters, as saying: “The delegation chose not to attend despite previously informing the United States of the delegation’s intention to participate in the negotiations.”

The Israeli side did not provide any explanation, and the Israeli embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this week, there were talks at the highest levels of the US government regarding sending CIA Director William Burns to the region to facilitate talks on an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

Plans to send Burns were not finalized, but the CIA director withdrew from the Aspen Security Forum for reasons that were not publicly explained.

The American newspaper explained that the Israeli decision frustrated American officials who say that they are confident, as they were in recent weeks, that they are close to reaching an agreement.

The newspaper added that the framework of the agreement on the table is similar to the framework set by President Joe Biden last May.

But over the past few weeks, both the Israelis and Hamas have made concessions, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

It is not yet clear when the participants in the negotiations, which have at various times included the United States, Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the Palestinians, will meet.

With the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the Palestinian factions in Gaza have been conducting indirect negotiations with Israel for months to reach an agreement on a sustainable ceasefire and the release of prisoners from both sides.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, killing and wounding more than 128,000 Palestinians, most of them children and women.

Tel Aviv continues its war on Gaza, ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions to stop it immediately, and the International Court of Justice’s orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Source: RT + “Politico”