JERUSALEM: An Israeli official said on Saturday the government had an “intention” to renew “this week” talks aimed at reaching a hostage release deal in the besieged Gaza Strip, after a meeting in Paris between US and Israeli officials, AFP reported.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that there was a mutual agreement to restart talks, although specific details regarding the agreement were not disclosed. “There is an intention to renew the talks this week and there is an agreement,” the official told AFP.
Reports from Israeli media suggested that Mossad chief David Barnea, in meetings with mediators CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Paris, had reached a consensus on a new framework for the stalled talks.
The announcement comes amidst ongoing efforts to address the crisis in Gaza, which escalated after Israel launched a military operation in the southern city of Rafah earlier this month, resulting in the termination of talks aimed at securing a hostage release and achieving a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to reopen the Rafah border crossing, a vital lifeline for the people of Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly engaged with Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz to explore new avenues for achieving these objectives.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated amidst relentless Israeli bombardment campaign. According to data from Gaza’s health ministry, at least 35,903 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in ongoing Israeli bombardment since October 7 last year.
