Israel FM says Hamas truce deal 'achievable'
AFP | Jerusalem
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Israel's foreign minister yesterday voiced confidence about reaching a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in war-torn Gaza, despite no immediate signs of a breakthrough in ongoing talks with Hamas.
Gideon Saar maintained that Israel was serious about wanting to reach a deal to end the 21 months of bitter fighting in the devastated territory, and believed it was "achievable".
"If a temporary ceasefire is achieved, we will negotiate on a permanent ceasefire," he added in a speech in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, as the indirect talks between the two sides stretched into a fourth day in Doha.
Saar's comments -- echoing optimism from US special envoy Steve Witkoff -- came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday met US President Donald Trump for the second time this week in Washington.
Israeli efforts to crush Hamas and release hostages dominated discussions, Netanyahu said afterwards, promising no let-up in the military campaign and "the elimination of Hamas's military and governing capabilities".
But Hamas, whose bloody October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war in Gaza, said it would never give up.
"Gaza will not surrender... and the resistance will impose the conditions, just as it imposed the equations," a statement read.
’Mostly listening’
A Palestinian official close to the talks blamed Israel for a lack of progress when discussions broke up late Tuesday because of its "refusal to accept the free entry of aid" into Gaza.
Another Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations said the Israeli delegation was "mostly listening rather than negotiating, which reflects Netanyahu's ongoing policy of obstruction and sabotaging any potential agreement".
Witkoff, however, was moreupbeat, in line with Trump whohas pushed for a ceasefire deal.
"We are hopeful that by theend of this week we will have anagreement that will bring us intoa 60-day ceasefire," Witkoff said.
The deal would include the return of 10 living hostages held byPalestinian groups since October2023, and nine dead hostages,Witkoff added.
Hamas has rebuffed pressure torelease all the hostages, demanding an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, whileIsrael wants to ensure militants inGaza never again pose a threat toits security.
Qatari mediators had warnedon Tuesday that it would taketime to seal a deal, though Trumpkept up his push to reach anagreement.
"It's a tragedy, and he wants toget it solved, and I want to get itsolved, and I think the other sidewants to," Trump told reporters,in reference to Netanyahu andHamas.
Asked earlier as he met US House speaker Mike Johnson ifa ceasefire announcement wasimminent, Netanyahu replied:"We're certainly working on it."
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