US, Qatar and Egypt stress need to conclude Gaza ceasefire and hostages release deal

“The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal,” the leaders of the US, Qatar and Egypt noted in a joint statement released on Thursday, stressing the plight of the long-suffering people of Gaza and the hostages.

The three countries have prepared an agreement that is currently on the table. Only the details of implementation are left to conclude. In the statement, the leaders emphasised that it is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire and implement the deal.

Israel, Hamas asked to resume negotiations on Thursday

The aforementioned agreement is based on the principles as outlined by Joe Biden, President of US, on May 31 this year, and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2735, according to the joint statement from the leaders of the US, Qatar and Egypt.

The mediating countries have called on both Israel and Hamas to resume urgent negotiations on Thursday either in Doha or Cairo in an effort to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal at the earliest.

The Israel-Hamas fighting has been raging since October 7 as Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking several others hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes, on the other hand, have already claimed nearly 39,600 lives.

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Moments after the release of the joint statement, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, said negotiators from his country are ready to be in the meeting. The aim is to finalise the details and implement the deal, he added.

The Middle East has been in the grasp of increased tensions since Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh got killed on July 31 in Iran. Tehran has blamed the attack on Israel. Retaliation is expected, raising fears of a possible broader conflict in the region.