The authorities of Qatar, Egypt and the United States have called on Israel and the Palestinian Hamas to resume negotiations on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages captured during the attack on October 7 last year.
“We have called on the parties to urgently resume negotiations in Doha or Cairo on August 15 to resolve the remaining gaps and begin the implementation of the agreement without any delay,” the joint statement said.
The resumption of talks is an attempt to reduce tensions in the region and avoid escalation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.
The authorities of Iran and the Lebanese “Hezbollah” promised to punish Israel, which did not admit its participation in the death of Haniyeh.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a direct appeal to Iran and Israel this week to avoid escalation in the Middle East.
According to the BBC, American media reported that the White House was furious after the killing of Haniyeh, believing that it could derail the Gaza ceasefire talks, which have made progress.
“Our three teams have worked tirelessly for many months to reach the framework agreement that is now on the table,” the three countries said in a statement. “All that remains is to fill in the details of its implementation.”
“We cannot waste any more time and justify further delays. It is time to release the hostages, start a ceasefire and implement this agreement.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Israeli delegation will leave for negotiations on August 15.
Hamas representatives have not yet commented.
Mediators have acknowledged that achieving a ceasefire after Haniyeh’s death will not be easy.
