The war between Israel and Hamas: Ceasefire talks are expected to resume

CAIRO (AP) — Talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the region have faltered The war between Israel and Hamas Talks are expected to resume in earnest in Qatar on Sunday, according to Egyptian officials.

The talks will be the first time that Israeli officials and Hamas leaders have joined indirect negotiations since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. International mediators had hoped to reach a six-week truce before Ramadan began earlier this weekBut Hamas rejected any agreement that did not lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a request that Israel rejected.

But in recent days, both sides have taken steps aimed at getting the talks, which were not completely broken off, back on track.

Hamas presented the mediators with a new proposal for a three-stage plan that would end the fighting, according to two Egyptian officials, one of whom was involved in the talks and the other of whom was briefed on it. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal the contents of sensitive discussions.

The first phase will be a six-week ceasefire, which will see the release of 35 hostages – women, sick and elderly – held by militants in Gaza in exchange for 350 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Hamas will also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 prisoners, including some serving long sentences on terrorism charges, for each soldier. Israeli forces will withdraw from two main roads in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. Destroyed by battlesOfficials said they would allow the free flow of aid to the region.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday that nearly one in three children under two years old in the isolated north suffers from acute malnutrition.

In the second phase, the two sides will declare a permanent ceasefire and Hamas will release the remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners, the officials said.

In the third phase, Hamas will hand over the bodies it is holding in exchange for Israel lifting the blockade on Gaza and allowing reconstruction to begin, the officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the proposal as “unrealistic.” However, he agreed to send Israeli negotiators to Qatar for further talks.

Egyptian officials said those talks are expected to resume Sunday afternoon, although they may be postponed until Monday.

Netanyahu's government has rejected calls for a permanent ceasefire, insisting that it must first achieve its stated goal of “eliminating Hamas.”

Many Palestinians fled to Rafah when Israel attacked Gaza following the war October 7 Hamas attack In southern Israel, 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage.

The United States and other countries have warned that the military The operation in Rafah could be disastrousBut Israel says it plans to move forward with the destruction of Hamas brigades stationed there.

Netanyahu's office did not provide details or a timetable for the Rafah operation, but said it would include the evacuation of the civilian population. The army said Planned to direct civilians to “humanitarian islands” Central Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that the United States has not yet seen a “clear and implementable plan” to protect innocent people in Rafah from the Israeli incursion.

The Gaza Ministry of Health said on Saturday that at least 31,553 Palestinians had been killed in the war. Ministry No difference Between civilians and fighters in his count, but he says Women and children They make up two-thirds of the dead.