Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Netanyahu Pushes for Indefinite Military Control Over Gaza

Qatar and Egypt have been performing as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, which don’t negotiate instantly.

The talks come a day after President Biden’s Mideast envoy met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and different high officers in Israel, a part of a flurry of efforts to barter the discharge of hostages and a pause within the combating. In response to Israeli officers, about 100 hostages are nonetheless being held in Gaza. A minimum of 30 others there are useless, officers imagine.

On Tuesday, Hamas stated {that a} delegation led by Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo to satisfy with Egyptian officers to debate efforts to finish the battle. On Thursday, Hamas issued a press release saying that Mr. Haniyeh had met with the Egyptian intelligence chief and aides, and had concluded his go to. The assertion stated that among the many subjects these talks addressed had been ending the battle, the return of displaced folks to their properties, humanitarian support, swapping hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and “what the occupation is planning at al-Aqsa Mosque” throughout Ramadan.

Efforts to safe a cease-fire deal have taken on larger urgency because the dying toll from 4 months of battle within the Gaza Strip nears 30,000 Palestinians, in line with well being officers there, and as Israel’s acknowledged plan to invade Gaza’s southernmost metropolis, Rafah, raises international alarm.

The talks had appeared to stall final week, after discussions held in Cairo failed to succeed in a breakthrough. Mr. Netanyahu withdrew his negotiators, accusing Hamas of refusing to budge on what he called “ludicrous” demands and pledged to press on with Israel’s offensive.

However on Wednesday night time, Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s battle cupboard, stated that there had been momentum on a new draft of a deal that indicated a “chance to advance.”

And on Thursday, a White Home official stated that President Biden’s Center East coordinator, Brett McGurk, had held “constructive” conferences in Israel with Mr. Netanyahu; Yoav Gallant, the Israeli protection minister; and different members of Israel’s battle cupboard.

“The preliminary indications we’re getting from Brett is these discussions are going properly,” stated the official, John Kirby, a spokesman for the Nationwide Safety Council. He additionally stated that Mr. McGurk had spent a “good couple of hours” with Mr. Netanyahu.

Mr. McGurk was centered on whether or not negotiators might “cement a hostage deal for an prolonged pause to get all of these hostages house the place they belong and get a discount within the violence in order that we are able to get extra humanitarian help,” Mr. Kirby stated.

Mr. Gallant, after assembly with Mr. McGurk on Thursday in Tel Aviv, stated that Israel’s authorities would “broaden the authority given to our hostage negotiators.”

One individual briefed on the talks, talking on situation of anonymity, stated there have been indications that each Hamas and Israel had been prepared to barter over an interim deal that would change 35 Israeli hostages who’re both medically frail or older for an undetermined variety of Palestinian prisoners.

Mr. Kirby stated Mr. McGurk supposed to press the Israeli battle cupboard for its plans for its army operation in Rafah.

“Nothing has modified about our view that any operation in Rafah with out due consideration and a reputable government plan for the security and safety of the greater than one million Palestinians looking for refuge in Rafah could be a catastrophe,” Mr. Kirby stated. “We might not assist that.”

Earlier this week, the USA vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that may have referred to as for an instantaneous cease-fire in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. officers have argued that an instantaneous cease-fire would permit Hamas to regroup and fortify in Gaza, and cut back the strain for making a deal to launch hostages held within the territory.

The USA has drafted a rival decision, which continues to be in early phases of negotiations, that requires a brief humanitarian cease-fire “as quickly as practicable,” and the discharge of hostages.

Adam Sella and Cassandra Vinograd contributed reporting.