According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the Israeli negotiating team, accompanied by their leader Barnea, will travel to Doha on Thursday for indirect talks with Hamas. The team will set out to discuss the new conditions insisted on by Prime Minister Netanyahu in order to formulate a deal with Hamas.
Netanyahu Meets with Security Cabinet Ahead of US Visit
It was reported that Netanyahu met with his security cabinet before his visit to Washington and evaluated the agreement discussed in the negotiations. In addition to the ceasefire proposal prepared by the US, Netanyahu had demanded the conditions that Israel control the Gaza-Egypt border and establish a monitoring mechanism to prevent Hamas elements from returning to northern Gaza.
Gallant: We Wish Netanyahu Success
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wished Netanyahu success as he will meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday. Gallant stressed that the Israeli security establishment fully supports the negotiating team and that the opportunity should be seized for the release of Israeli prisoners.
Reaction from Families of Israeli Prisoners
Families of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip criticized Netanyahu for traveling to the United States without signing a prisoner swap deal. A group protested Netanyahu’s visit to Washington at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu’s New Demands
It is stated that Netanyahu is continuing the prisoner swap negotiations with new demands and that the long-standing negotiations between the parties to stop the attacks on the Gaza Strip are gaining momentum. There are reports in the Israeli press that Netanyahu is making the prisoner swap negotiations difficult with his new demands.
