On April 18, 2024, at 4:49 p.m. ET, a rally took place in Jerusalem demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas. The negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages hit a roadblock as Hamas rejected the latest proposal from Israel, Qatar, and Egypt. The blame for the lack of progress in talks was placed on the group responsible for the attack on Israel on October 7.
William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, presented a comprehensive proposal in Cairo, offering some Gazans to return to the northern part of the enclave, a key demand by Hamas. However, Hamas has not accepted the proposal, causing a setback in the negotiations.
Mossad expressed disappointment over Hamas’s rejection, indicating a lack of interest in reaching a deal. Hamas cited insufficient women and civilian hostages to fulfill the terms of the agreement, leading to a deadlock in the negotiations.
In a recent proposal, Hamas called for the release of fewer than 20 living hostages in the initial phase of the cease-fire deal, focusing on elderly and women. The talks remain uncertain, with Mr. Burns expressing concern over the outcome.
The situation is heartbreaking, with innocent civilians in Gaza awaiting humanitarian relief. The future of the negotiations remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges in reaching a peaceful resolution.
Source: The New York Times