O Islamist group Hamas reiterated this Monday that the release of Israeli hostages will only happen if Israel ends its offensive in the Gaza Strip. The position comes after a secret meeting between representatives of the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt, in Paris, on an agreement in exchange for a two-month ceasefire.
“The success of the Paris meeting depends on whether the Occupation [Israel] agrees to end the comprehensive aggression on the Strip”said Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, to the Reuters news agency.
The publication added, however, that Zuhri’s statements did not make it clear whether Hamas would release all 132 hostages remaining in Gaza, or just some.
According to Israeli media, the heads of the secret services of Israel, the USA, Egypt and Qatar met in Paris, France, to advance negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip.
The director of Mossad, David Barnea, the director of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar (the two Israeli secret services) and Major General Nitzan Alon, sent to the hostages, traveled to Paris to meet with the director of the CIA, William Burns, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohamed bin Abderrahman Al Thani, who negotiates on behalf of the Islamist group Hamas.
Questioned by Efe about the meeting, the Israeli prime minister’s office limited itself to saying that “Israel is doing and will continue to do everything possible for the immediate release of all hostages.”
Israel does not accept the end of hostilities, only a temporary ceasefire to allow the release of the hostages and then pursue its objective of destroying Hamas, while Hamas demands the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
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Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/2490529/hamas-reitera-que-libertacao-de-refens-so-acontecera-com-fim-da-ofensiva
