Israel is under pressure to make significant concessions in negotiations, including releasing 15 Palestinians jailed on serious terrorism charges in exchange for five female Israeli soldiers held in Gaza. This offer is part of a broader proposal to exchange scores of Palestinian prisoners and detainees for about 35 other hostages during a six-week cease-fire. Hamas’s political leaders insist that any deal to release the more than 100 hostages in Gaza is dependent on a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Israel is unwilling to compromise on its goal of toppling Hamas in Gaza, indicating it will not agree to a long-term truce. Negotiators have made significant progress and are pushing for an agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, the ultimate decision rests with Hamas and whether they are willing to agree to a deal that would benefit the Palestinian people. The Palestine Red Crescent Society has suspended emergency medical missions in a part of Gaza where Israeli forces intercepted a convoy evacuating patients from a hospital. Despite having cleared arrangements for the evacuation with Israeli authorities, the convoy was stopped, and patients and aid workers were detained by Israeli forces. This incident has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
2024-02-27 20:39:54
Original from www.nytimes.com