Image Credit: Politico
Israel has agreed to send a delegation to resume talks on a Gaza ceasefire deal on August 15, following an invitation extended by Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators. The decision was confirmed early Friday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issuing a statement indicating that the team will work on finalizing the framework agreement’s details.
This move comes after a joint statement from the mediators, urging both Israel and Hamas to restart negotiations to bridge any remaining gaps in the proposed deal and to proceed with its implementation without further delay. The mediators emphasized the urgency of the situation, given the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
While Israel has accepted the invitation, agreeing to attend the talks in either Cairo or Doha, Hamas has yet to issue a formal response. The outcome of these negotiations is seen as crucial in ending the hostilities that have caused widespread devastation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, with reports of at least 15 people killed and 30 injured in Israeli military attacks on two schools in eastern Gaza City. The schools had been sheltering displaced Palestinians, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
According to the latest figures, Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 39,699 people and injuries to 91,722 others. In Israel, the October 7 attacks led by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,139 individuals, with more than 200 people taken captive.
The upcoming negotiations are being closely watched as a potential turning point in the conflict, with hopes that a ceasefire deal could bring much-needed relief to the region.