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US Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov has arrived in Sardynia for consultation with representatives of Israel and Qatar on a potential ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas War in Gaza.
High-ranking White House officials who landed at Olbia Airport on Thursday are expected to meet Qatar Prime Minister Mohamed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs.
Their meeting comes as Israel and Hamas seek to reach an agreement on the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages the latter has held since the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Consultations between Witkov and Qatar and Israeli officials are expected to take place in Costa Smeralda. There, Qatar owns several luxury hotels through the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
What is being discussed in the Gaza negotiations
Hamas confirmed it had submitted a response to Israel’s proposal for a 60-day ceasefire.
It calls for amendments to the entry of humanitarian assistance, an area where Israeli forces should withdraw and ensure the critical purpose of the war.
Frequently over the past few months, the agreement has stuck with Israel not guaranteeing military withdrawal from the enclave. It requires Hamas to demand a long-term purpose for hostilities and the release of all remaining hostages.
The ceasefire negotiated in January ended in March when the Israeli government refused to proceed with phases 2 and 3, including a commitment to end the war and commence the reconstruction of Gaza.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posed a threat to Hamas.
“If the hostages are not released soon, the gates of hell will open,” he said.
Israel is under internal pressure. There, executives are increasingly dependent on the ultranationalist right-wing after expanding calls from the international community to stop the war.
In a letter submitted on Thursday, 65 MEPS asked representatives of EU foreign policy to propose a comprehensive package of sanctions against Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The request comes after more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed since late May while queueing up US- and Israeli-supported GHF aid distribution sites.
Meanwhile, more than 100 charities and human rights groups said Wednesday that Israeli blockade and its ongoing military attacks would put mass starvation in Gaza.
The Israeli government’s “limitations, delays and fragmentation under a complete siege have produced chaos, starvation and death,” the letter said.
