INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Talks between Hamas and the U.S
administration on a ceasefire in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave are underway, a senior Palestinian official
familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Sunday.
U.S
President Donald Trump recently repeated a pledge to help get food to Palestinians in Gaza
A U.S.-backed mechanism for getting aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington’s envoy to Israel also said on Friday.
A State
Department spokesperson said: “We cannot speak to ongoing negotiations, but I will note recent statements by Qatar and Egypt that they are
continuing to engage in pursuit of an agreement.”
The spokesperson said that Hamas bore sole responsibility for the war as well as for the
resumption of hostilities.
“President Trump has made clear the consequences Hamas will face if it continues to hold the hostages,
including American Edan Alexander and the bodies of four Americans,” the spokesperson added.
The U.S
had previously held discussions with the Palestinian militant group on securing the release of U.S
hostages held in Gaza, read the report.
Israeli media reported on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told a closed session
of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas could soon release Alexander, an American-Israeli hostage, as a goodwill gesture
towards Trump, who will visit this Middle East this week.
The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for
comment on the reports.
Since March 2, Israel has cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, and food stockpiled during a
ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out.
On March 18, Israel effectively ended the January ceasefire agreement with Hamas and
renewed its military campaign in Gaza, Reuters reported.
Hamas has said it is willing to free all remaining hostages seized by its gunmen in
attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and agree to a permanent ceasefire if Israel pulls out completely from
Gaza.
Israel, vowing the war can only stop once Hamas is stamped out, has said it plans to expand its military campaign in Gaza, which has
been devastated during the war and prompted warnings from the U.N
that the population faces imminent famine.
The October 2023 Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people, and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza,
according to Israeli tallies
Israel’s campaign has killed more than 52,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The post Hamas in
talks with US about Gaza ceasefire and aid, says senior Palestinian official first appeared on TINS News | Afghanistan News.
