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Israel-Gaza War: Smoke rises during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Yunis
Photo: Bassam Masoud / REUTERS
According to its own statements, the Islamist Hamas has presented a comprehensive proposal as part of negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of further hostages. This includes, among other things, an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip, aid deliveries to the population and the release of people kidnapped from Israel in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, Hamas announced on Telegram in the evening.
The Islamists therefore continue to insist on a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the coastal area, which Israel rejects. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to his office, that Hamas continues to adhere to "unrealistic demands."
According to his office, Netanyahu had previously said that Qatar was putting pressure on Hamas and this was starting to have an effect. According to information, Doha is said to have threatened to expel members of the Islamist organization from Qatar and not give them any more money if they did not give in to the negotiations. The information could not initially be independently verified.
Egypt, Qatar and the USA are currently making renewed efforts to bring about a longer ceasefire in the Gaza war. As part of an agreement, the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israel in several phases. Negotiations have recently made slow progress.
According to the media, hundreds of people in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv again called for the release of the hostages from Hamas' violence that evening. Accordingly, they also temporarily blocked a highway in the city.
aeh/dpa