Concerning ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas over a cessation of fighting, Hamas's top official Haniyeh said on the 28th that he was taking a flexible stance toward negotiations, but also indicated that he would continue fighting if an agreement is not reached. It remains unclear whether negotiations will be concluded.
In the Gaza Strip, as of the 28th, local health authorities announced that the death toll was 29,954, approaching 30,000. However, Israel and Hamas are using Qatar and others as intermediaries to halt the fighting and release the hostages. Negotiations are continuing.
On the 28th, Lebanese media close to Hamas reported on the negotiations, detailing the proposals Hamas said it had received from Israel and the intermediary state.
According to the agreement, Hamas will release 40 hostages, and Israel will release approximately 400 Palestinians held in prison, and all of this will begin before the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which begins around the 10th of next month. It is said that the aim is to
Concerning the negotiations, Hamas's top official Haniyeh issued a statement on the 28th, saying, ``The flexible attitude we are showing in these negotiations is to protect people's lives and end this brutal war.'' He emphasized that he has a flexible attitude.
On the other hand, top official Haniyeh said, ``In parallel with the negotiations, we are ready to protect the Palestinian people,'' indicating that if an agreement is not reached, we will continue fighting, and it remains unclear whether the negotiations will be concluded. It's opaque.
Conference of Palestinian factions to be held in Moscow
On the 28th, Nofal, head of the Palestinian Mission in Russia, told the state-run Russian News Agency that regarding the Palestinian issue, there are various groups in Palestine, including the Islamic organization Hamas and the moderate political group Fatah, which leads the transitional autonomous government. He announced that a conference will be held in Moscow, attended by the various factions.
The meeting will discuss the cessation of fighting in the Gaza Strip, humanitarian aid, and future cooperation between Palestinian factions, and Nofal said, ``The possibility of coming together to stop the war will be considered.'' We would like to thank Russia for inviting Palestinian factions during such a difficult time."
Regarding this meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov, who is in charge of Middle East issues at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that it would be held from February 29th to March 2nd. Deputy Minister Bogdanov also met separately with representatives of Hamas and visited the Gaza Strip. He has expressed his intention to seek the release of the Russian hostages being held.
Meanwhile, Russian Presidential Spokesman Peskov explained on the 28th that President Putin has no plans to meet with representatives of Fatah or Hamas.
The Putin administration has demonstrated a diplomatic stance that sets it apart from that of Western countries, such as having contact with a Hamas delegation in Moscow, and it appears that it also wants to show its presence as a mediator regarding the Palestinian issue. Masu.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji “hopes for a humanitarian and sustainable ceasefire”
On the 28th, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji, who is visiting Israel, met with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz.
At the beginning of the meeting, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji stated, ``Japan is concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.We hope that a humanitarian ceasefire for the release of the hostages and a sustainable ceasefire will be realized.'' I did.
During the meeting, Vice Minister Tsuji conveyed Japan's position of supporting the realization of peace in which the two states of Israel and Palestine coexist, and the two sides agreed to communicate for the sake of stability in the Middle East region. That's it.