After Haniyeh killing; US, Qatar, Egypt call for meeting to reach deal
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The countries' leaders claimed that a deal framework is ready on the table and what needs to be finalized is the implementation process.
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An Israeli tank patrolling residential areas destroyed by the occupation in Gaza on January 19, 2024 (AFP)
US President Joe Biden, Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi released a joint statement calling on "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas to finalize the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in a meeting set for next week.
The statement came almost a week after the Israeli regime assassinated Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran; the leader of the movement's negotiations team. Additionally, "Israel" targeted a residential building in Beirut, killing five civilians – three women and two children – and a top Hezbollah military leader, Sayyed Fouad Shokor.
Read more: WSJ admits no proof of UNRWA Staff Collaborating with Hamas
"It is time, immediately, to put an end to the long-standing suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, as well as the hostages and their families. It is time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and release the hostages and detainees," the joint statement read.
The three leaders claimed that a framework agreement is ready and that all it needs to be finalized is to agree on implementation details.
"No more time should be wasted, and there should be no excuses by any party for further postponement," they said, adding that they are ready "if necessary" to make a final proposal to close the remaing gas related to the implementation of the deal "in a way that meets the expectations of all parties."
"We have called on the two sides to resume urgent talks on Thursday, August 15 in (Doha or Cairo) to fill all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without any delay."
Read more: Haniyeh assassination threatens to push ME into wider conflict: OIC
According to Axios, a high-ranking Israeli official mentioned that the idea for the summit was proposed by the US in the past few days, and "Israel" was informed ahead of time about the joint statement.
"Israel will go anywhere and cooperate with any initiative that can promote a deal for the release of the hostages," the Israeli official said.
Hamas elected on Tuesday leader Yahya Sinwar as the movement's new political bureau chief.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and its allies in the Resistance Axis are preparing for a military response to the Israeli killing of their citizens, and officials and attacks on their countries.
The United States is in the process of establishing a coalition after having mobilized its forces to protect "Israel" from retaliation.
Read more: US role in backing 'Israel' makes it legally liable: Iran Judiciary
