Call from the US to resume negotiations

A joint written statement was issued under the signatures of US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The statement, which calls for Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza on August 15, points to initiating the new phase of talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, or the Qatari capital, Doha.

The following was noted in the joint statement by the US, Egypt, and Qatar:

"It is time to immediately put an end to the long-standing suffering of the people of Gaza and the families of the hostages. It is also time to reach a ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages and detainees. There should be no further loss of time, nor should any of the parties have excuses for further delays. The time has come to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement."

Emphasizing that months of effort have been spent by teams on the framework agreement currently on the table, the statement expressed that what remains now is to determine the details of implementing that framework agreement.

The statement indicated that the framework agreement is based on the proposals announced by US President Biden on May 31.

Noting that there is a need to bridge the remaining gaps in a way that meets the expectations of all parties, and that they are ready to do so as mediator countries, the statement invited Israel and Hamas to Cairo or Doha next Wednesday and Thursday to bridge the remaining gaps.

US President Biden announced on May 31 that Israel had presented a new three-phase ceasefire proposal.

Although Biden stated that this proposal belonged to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that they would continue their attacks in Gaza until the "determined goals" were achieved.

Netanyahu claimed in a speech to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on June 3 that there were "gaps" between what Israel proposed and the offer presented by Biden.

In the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7, at least 39,699 Palestinians have been killed, including 16,314 children and 10,980 women, and 91,722 people have been injured.

While it is reported that there are still thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where the public has taken shelter.

News Source: AA