Israeli officials says 'gaps remain' after meeting on prisoner swap
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According to Reuters, Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement in which he claimed that parties would continue to discuss those gaps "this week in additional mutual meetings."
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Protesters lift portraits of an Israeli captive during a rally in "Tel Aviv" (AFP)
The Israeli prime minister's office stated that discussions around a second potential Israeli captive swap and a temporary pause in hostilities were "constructive", however there a "meaningful gaps" left.
According to Reuters, Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement in which he claimed that parties would continue to discuss those gaps "this week in additional mutual meetings."
The statement detailed the meeting of William Burns, head of the CIA, and David Barnea, the chief of the Israeli Mossad intelligence organization, along with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel.
Multiple informed sources told Reuters Thursday that the head of the Central Intelligence Agency and his Israeli counterpart will meet with Qatari officials in the coming days to discuss a second potential Israeli captive swap and a temporary pause in hostilities.
The Israeli Channel 12 emphasized that the Israeli occupation leadership considers this meeting crucial, clarifying that its goal is to unify the path of Qatari and Egyptian mediation in order to exert joint pressure on the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas.
It added that the main red line for "Israel" so far is not ending the war once the prisoner exchange is completed.
The US and Israeli intelligence chiefs earlier met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, assisting in the negotiation of a brief truce in November that resulted in the exchange of more than 100 captives.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Burns has been “involved in helping us with the hostage deal that was in place and trying to help us pursue another one."
According to a third source familiar with the negotiations, "Israel" has suggested a 60-day pause in which more than 100 captives would be freed in stages, beginning with civilian women and children.
Netanyahu to continue war
The Israeli Channel 12 emphasized that the Israeli occupation leadership considers this meeting crucial.
According to the channel, Hamas' proposal includes a humanitarian release ratio of 100 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli captive. It also includes ceasefire periods between the exchange stages extending for approximately two months.
Elsewhere, the Hamas proposal includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as well as a complete ceasefire.
It is noteworthy that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated last week his position on continuing the war on the Gaza Strip and rejecting Hamas' conditions for the release of captives.
This comes at a time when settlers and the families of Israeli captives escalate protests demanding the Israeli government take action and immediately complete a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.
On Monday, a group of 20 Israeli settler protesters stormed the Knesset Finance Committee meeting in occupied al-Quds amid growing outrage over Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to take on a deal on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives. The settlers demanded action from occupation lawmakers to assist in releasing their family members being held as captives.
Netanyahu's residence was also surrounded by a group of settler protesters calling on the head of the occupation to work for the release of Israeli captives.
On its part, the Palestinian Resistance has repeatedly asserted that it will not negotiate a prisoner exchange until the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip ends, rejecting any temporary agreements.
