Gaza ceasefire talks show rare progress as Hamas discusses weapons plan, sources say

Talks between mediators and Hamas leaders in Cairo on implementing a US-brokered Gaza peace plan have made rare progress, sources close to the negotiations said on Thursday, although an Israeli official said the proposed terms did not meet Israel's demands. Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, on Thursday, according to medics. A Hamas official and a diplomat involved in the Cairo discussions described the talks as "positive" and said they were making progress. The Hamas official said the developments would depend on Israel's response and whether they could lead to a broader agreement. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Israel had rejected the proposal. "Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarisation of the Strip as a precondition for any process," the official said. Also Read: Over 60,000 children orphaned in Gaza since October 2023: Palestinian ministry "The 15-point document in question does not provide a satisfactory response to these demands and Israel conveyed its objections." Weapons remain key obstacle Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Anna Evstigneeva told the Security Council on Tuesday that a roadmap prepared by US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov, had failed to win support from both Israel and Hamas, with Gaza's demilitarisation remaining the main obstacle. A diplomat close to the Cairo talks said negotiations were moving towards a roadmap under which all heavy and light weapons in Gaza would be decommissioned. Hamas leaders are discussing the second phase of Trump's Gaza plan with mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye. The plan calls for increased humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, Hamas disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and deployment of an international security force. However, previous efforts have stalled over disagreements between the two sides. Hamas considers storing weapons A Hamas official said on Thursday that the group was bringing a "positive and good" response to the talks but did not confirm whether it had agreed to fully disarm, a central issue in negotiations for the past four months. Hamas has demanded that Israel commit to ending attacks on Gaza and withdrawing its forces. Sources close to Hamas said the group was willing to confine and store heavy weapons under a Palestinian body, rather than hand them over to Israel. Hamas did not immediately comment. It remains unclear how the issue of light weapons or personal firearms would be addressed, and whether Israel or the Board of Peace would accept Hamas' position. The diplomat involved in the negotiations said the proposed roadmap would gradually transfer authority to the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) under the principle of "one authority, one law, one weapon". The plan would include dismantling tunnels, weapons stockpiles and production facilities, to eliminate all militant infrastructure in Gaza by the end of the process. Read More: Pakistan, Egypt condemn Israeli military actions in Gaza, occupied West Bank The diplomat said the roadmap was based on reciprocal actions rather than trust between the parties. Disputes over Gaza control continue The situation on the ground remains far from the proposed roadmap. The Israeli military has continued operations in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel intends to expand the area under its control to 70% of the enclave. Questions remain over how many forces would participate in the planned International Stabilisation Force and whether Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza. Two Egyptian sources said Hamas had agreed to several disputed points, including the transfer of weapons, but requested changes to the definition of infrastructure that would be dismantled. Further talks were continuing, they said. The Board of Peace did not immediately comment on the Cairo negotiations. Strikes continue despite ceasefire The ceasefire has halted full-scale fighting but has not stopped near-daily Israeli strikes. Gaza health officials said Israeli attacks on Thursday killed at least two children, a woman and three men. The Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas in the enclave. The latest deaths bring the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began to more than 1,200, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire. Hamas does not routinely disclose its losses.

from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/EBHsYvg