The meeting that the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Israel held in Paris last Sunday for a ceasefire in Gaza was “constructive”, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said, adding that “disagreements” still exist. ​between the parties.

Heads of the Mossad (Israeli Foreign Intelligence Service) and the Shin Bet (National Intelligence Service) took part in the meeting, a statement said. The parties “will continue to discuss in other meetings this week,” the text said.

CIA Director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed ben Abdulrahman Al Thani and a senior Egyptian official were also at the negotiating table.

The United States sees a new pact for the release of Gaza hostages as possible after the Paris meeting between the intelligence chiefs of Israel, the United States and Egypt, as well as Qatar’s prime minister, who is mediating with Hamas.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted in an interview with MSNBC that these conversations were “constructive.”

A protester carries a portrait of Goran Maya, held hostage in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on October 7, during a demonstration aimed at blocking the access of aid trucks to Palestinian territory, on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing with South . Photo: AFP

“We believe there is a framework for a new hostage agreement that could make a real difference in terms of freeing more people, getting more aid and reducing violence,” he stressed.

Kirby wanted to make it clear that “there is no deal on the table that can be announced anytime soon,” and emphasized that there is still diplomatic work to be done before we can reach that point.

“I think it is fair to describe it as constructive,” he noted of the dialogue organized in Paris on Sunday, which aimed to renew negotiations on a ceasefire and a hostage exchange for Palestinian prisoners to breathe life into.

In recent weeks, several proposals have been put forward by Qatar, Egypt and the US, the mediating countries, but all have been rejected by both Israel and Hamas, who take opposing positions that prevent a starting point for negotiations.

Pressure against Netanyahu

The meetings, which began Saturday, seek to move toward an agreement that includes a ceasefire in the fighting and the release of hostages from the Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, expert sources said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is facing intense public pressure to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, where Israeli military operations continue.

US President Joe Biden spoke this weekend with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about “the latest events in Israel and Gaza”, but the White House assured that no “imminent” announcement was planned.

Armistice in stages

Regarding the agreement discussed in Paris, The New York Times reported a possible first 30-day ceasefire that would allow the release of women, the elderly and injured hostages.

At that point, the parties would negotiate a second phase that would also last thirty days and allow the release of the men and soldiers.

According to the newspaper, the deal would also include the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

The war broke out on October 7 with the raid by Islamist Hamas commandos that killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped about 250 in southern Israel, according to an AFP report based on official data.

One hundred were released in late November under a ceasefire, and Israeli authorities say 132 hostages are still being held on Palestinian territory, 28 of whom have been killed.

In response, Israel launched an air and ground offensive that has so far killed at least 26,422 people, mostly women, children and adolescents, according to the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry. (JO)