The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have issued a united call for Israel and Hamas to reconvene stalled negotiations over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The three mediating nations, who have been leading the indirect negotiations to end the Gaza war, issued a joint statement on Thursday, August 8, demanding that both parties resume talks without delay. “There is no further time to waste, nor excuses from any party for further delay,” the mediators declared.
The statement outlined a clear timeline for the next round of discussions, scheduled for August 15. These talks are slated to take place in either Doha or Cairo, under the leadership of US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Tamim al-Thani.
The mediators emphasized that a framework agreement is now on the table, with only the details of implementation remaining to be finalized. A senior US official, citing information from the Associated Press, indicated that only a handful of disagreements – four or five specific points – stand in the way of a resolution. These include issues like the timing of a planned exchange of Palestinian detainees held by Israel and hostages held by Hamas.
“As mediators, we stand ready, if necessary, to put forward a final proposal to resolve the remaining issues of implementation in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties,” the statement concluded.
Israel has confirmed its acceptance of the invitation to resume negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Thursday confirming Israel’s participation, acknowledging the pressure to reach a peaceful resolution. Netanyahu has faced criticism from opponents who accuse him of delaying the peace process.
However, Hamas has yet to officially respond to the renewed invitation. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ top political leader, in Tehran has heightened regional tensions and cast a shadow over the prospects of the talks. While the assassination has not been confirmed by Israeli officials, it is widely attributed to Israel. The incident has been perceived as a significant setback to the peace efforts.
Despite Haniyeh’s death, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that Hamas has other leaders capable of continuing the talks. The next round of discussions is seen as a critical juncture in the pursuit of a long-term resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
