TEL AVIV. Israel’s war cabinet has dispatched a negotiating team, led by Mossad Director David Barnea, to Paris in pursuit of talks regarding a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal, a senior Israeli official confirmed.
The team is anticipated to engage in substantive negotiations, departing from their previous role of merely listening to proposals during meetings in Cairo last week.
The official confirmed that the negotiating team had departed for Paris on Friday, although the duration of the talks remains uncertain. While initial indications suggest the discussions may extend through the weekend, there is a possibility of unforeseen developments, the official noted on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of diplomatic negotiations.
The decision to dispatch the team was made during a war cabinet meeting on Thursday evening, following discussions between US President Joe Biden’s Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk and top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The official further revealed that Israel had been awaiting confirmation of the delivery of medication to hostages in Gaza before agreeing to resume negotiations. Positive signals from talks in Cairo, combined with pressure from US officials, ultimately prompted Israel’s decision to participate in discussions in Paris.
These developments come amid heightened efforts by the Biden administration to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict before Ramadan next month. US officials view the release of over 100 Israeli hostages from Gaza as a crucial step toward achieving a temporary halt to the violence, which has persisted since a seven-day truce in late November.
However, the negotiations are overshadowed by Israel’s threat to launch an offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza, if a hostage deal is not reached by the start of Ramadan on March 10. Despite international appeals for restraint, Israel remains determined to proceed with its planned military action in the absence of a negotiated settlement.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have resulted in numerous casualties, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza reported at least 23 deaths following Thursday evening’s airstrikes, with the death toll expected to rise. The escalating violence underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
