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Hostage negotiations: U.S. sees deal within reach, Israel ‘cautiously’ optimistic while Hamas decries ‘dictates’

Palestinian Gravedigger Sa'di Baraka Oversees Burial in Gaza's Deir al-Balah Cemetery on August 10, 2024. Photograph: The Associated Press (AP News) / Abdel Kareen Hana [apnews.com]

We continue to pray for peace. We are so heartbroken about all the deaths. All the babies that have been killed sickens me. More Than 40,000 Have Died In Gaza – Corpses Are Being Buried In Yards, Streets and Layered Graves

All Israel News Staff

After two days of high-level negotiations over an agreement intended to bring about a truce in the Gaza War and the release of 115 Israeli hostages remaining in Hamas captivity, the mediating countries seem convinced a deal is now within reach, with Israeli representatives agreeing with caution.

On the other hand, the Hamas terrorist organization, which didn’t send representatives to the summit held in Doha, criticized the talks as “American dictates.”

After the summit, which was called by their three countries, the leaders from the United States, Qatar and Egypt spoke on the phone, the U.S. White House confirmed.

“There was a consensus between all three leaders that this process is now in the end game,” said a senior U.S. official said.

Speaking with the news outlet Axios, he added, “If you continue negotiating for months and months and try to get a perfect deal, or every last drop of blood from the stone, you risk having no hostages left to save.”

U.S. President Joe Biden also showed great optimism in recent statements, telling reporters on Friday, “I’m optimistic. It’s far from over. Just a couple more issues. I think we’ve got a shot.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concurred, with Israel’s negotiating team expressing to him its “cautious optimism regarding the possibility of progress,” according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday evening.

After updating Netanyahu on the talks, the team expressed cautious optimism that the deal, based on the “American proposal” and adjusted to address Netanyahu’s red lines, could move forward.

“It is hoped that the heavy pressure on Hamas by the United States and the mediators will remove its opposition to the American proposal and will lead to a breakthrough in the talks,” the PMO stated.

However, a senior member of the team somewhat dampened the hopes during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 news. While agreeing there was “significant progress on several issues,” he also cautioned: “Since Hamas has not yet returned an answer, everything is in question.” More Here

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