Israel says it is serious about reaching a ceasefire, cites positive signs
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had accepted the conditions needed to finalize a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas after what he called a "long and productive" meeting of his representatives with Israeli officials.
At a press conference in the Estonian capital Tallinn, Saar said: "We are serious in our will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We said yes to (U.S.) special envoy (Steve) Witkoff's proposals."
"There are some positive signs. I don't want to say more than that right now. But our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible," said Saar, who spoke after holding talks with Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
"But it must be clear: Hamas is not only responsible for initiating this war on October 7 (2023). It is also responsible for its continuation. Pressure must be applied on Hamas. The international community must now back the American initiatives. It must shatter any illusions that Hamas may have," he said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said it was studying new ceasefire offers it received from mediators Egypt and Qatar but stressed it aimed to reach an agreement that would ensure an end to the war and an Israeli pullout from Gaza.
Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
7 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel, Hamas near agreement: Could a prisoner deal be the first step toward ending Gaza war?
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Could next week mark the beginning of the end of the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas? Optimism is cautiously growing as Israeli officials received Hamas' latest amendments to the Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal, despite lingering points of disagreement still under negotiation. The most sensitive issue remains Hamas' demand for a formal, final commitment from Washington to end the war entirely. Current proposals, backed by the U.S. and mediators, guarantee a full ceasefire during the initial 60-day phase of the prisoner exchange deal but stop short of committing to a permanent end to hostilities. Israeli officials familiar with Hamas' response anticipate gaps in positions over three main points: the future deployment of Israeli forces in Gaza, the delivery and management of humanitarian aid, and the specifics of Washington's security guarantees regarding a lasting ceasefire. Humanitarian assistance is expected to begin on day one of the agreement, but Hamas insists on safeguards to prevent shortages in food supplies, particularly for bakeries and hospitals. The group is pushing for aid to be channeled through established international organizations like the United Nations and the Red Crescent, rather than through the American company recently involved in aid deliveries. The introduction of engineering and construction equipment for Gaza's devastated hospitals, homes, and infrastructure remains among the most contentious demands raised by Hamas. Despite these hurdles, negotiators report no major deadlock over the proposed Israeli military redeployment in Gaza. Hamas has shown flexibility, contingent on continued negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire both during and after the 60-day phase. The agreement framework involves a phased release of live hostages followed by the return of bodies, alongside Israel's staged release of Palestinian prisoners. Simultaneously, Israeli forces would begin withdrawing from northern Gaza, particularly the Netzarim corridor, and progressively toward the south. The deal outlines strict conditions for the prisoner release days, including a halt to offensive military operations and a 10 to 12-hour suspension of aerial surveillance and intelligence flights. All eyes are now on Washington, where a decisive meeting is scheduled for Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. Ahead of that, Israel's security cabinet will convene late Saturday to review Hamas' response and finalize the Israeli position for the high-stakes talks in the U.S. capital.
LBCI
12 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel says 'no decision yet' on Hamas response to Gaza truce proposal
Israel said Saturday it was still mulling its response to a positive reaction from Hamas to the latest U.S.-sponsored proposal for a Gaza ceasefire. "No decision has been made yet on that issue," a government official told AFP on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about it. Israel's security cabinet was due to meet later on Saturday, after the end of the Jewish sabbath at sundown, Israeli media reported. AFP
LBCI
12 hours ago
- LBCI
Erdogan says asked Trump to intervene over shootings at Gaza aid centers
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he asked U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to stop the Gaza aid center shootings which the U.N. says have killed more than 500 people. Erdogan said when he met Trump at a NATO summit in late June, he told him: "There are people who are being killed in food queues. You need to intervene here so that these people are not killed," the Anadolu state news agency reported Saturday. AFP
