US, Egypt, and Qatar urge Israel and Hamas to hold further negotiations
The US, Egypt, and Qatar called on Israel and Hamas to expedite negotiations on a cease-fire and hostage-release accord in a joint statement. According to the statement, "just the details of implementation left to conclude" about the "framework agreement" that the three nations had agreed.
In a joint statement, the US, Egypt, and Qatar urged Israel and Hamas to pick up the pace of talks on a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement. The statement said that the "framework agreement" reached by the three countries was now "just the details of implementation left to conclude." Israel announced that it would send representatives to the proposed discussions, which are scheduled for either Cairo or Doha on August 15.
Hamas did not reply right away. The redoubled diplomatic effort is likely an attempt to prevent regional tensions from getting out of hand following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last week. Although Israel has not made a formal remark on the assassination, Iran has blamed Israel and promised a retaliation.
The three countries released a joint statement inviting Israel and Hamas to return to negotiations on August 15 in order "to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay." "As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties," stated the statement. US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani all signed the declaration. It stated that the framework agreement was supported by the UN Security Council and founded on "principles" that President Biden had previously outlined on May 31. These would include the release of several captives and a complete truce.
In an evening statement, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he had spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to "reinforce my ironclad support for Israel’s defense" and to brief him on modifications to US forces in the region. "I also stressed the importance of concluding a ceasefire deal in Gaza that releases the hostages," he stated.
The goal of achieving a ceasefire and hostage release agreement has proven difficult to achieve thus far, despite multiple rounds of negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the fight can only end when Hamas is vanquished, despite Hamas's demands for a truce.
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