Gaza War: Accelerated Egyptian-Qatari Mediation Seeks Resolution

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
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Gaza War: Accelerated Egyptian-Qatari Mediation Seeks Resolution

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)

Egypt has lately pressed ahead with its efforts to finalize positions regarding the framework proposed by Cairo to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

However, there has been no official response from any concerned party, according to official confirmations.

Simultaneously, several positions from the side of Hamas have surfaced, reaffirming the movement's previously declared stance.

This stance asserts that there will be “no negotiations on any deal with Israel without a complete and comprehensive ceasefire.”

Observers speculate that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, might lean towards accepting the Egyptian proposal.

Meanwhile, Israel has yet to declare a clear position on the same proposal or a separate Qatari initiative for a prisoner exchange.

Israeli media quoted an official indicating “slight progress” in the ongoing talks on a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing that “the road ahead is still long.”

Egypt had presented what was described as a “framework proposal,” consisting of three consecutive and interconnected stages that culminate in a ceasefire.

On Saturday, Egypt reiterated its rejection of any interference in Palestinian affairs and stated that it had presented a “framework proposal" regarding the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

The aim is to bridge the perspectives between the involved parties, although a formal initiative has not yet been put forth.

Egypt’s Chairman of the State Information Service Diaa Rashwan emphasized to the Arab World Press that recent speculations are inaccurate.

He clarified that all matters related to the Palestinian issue are solely the concern of the Palestinian people, and no external parties can intervene.

Dismissing rumors about the formation of a Palestinian government through non-Palestinian external intervention, Rashwan stated that such claims are unfounded.

Rashwan outlined Egypt’s proposal, consisting of three stages that entail extendable ceasefires and the gradual release of dozens of prisoners held by Hamas.

This exchange is contingent on the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, ultimately leading to a cessation of hostilities.



Strike Launched toward Israeli Prime Minister’s House

Israeli security forces secure a road near where Israel's government says a drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, Israel Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP)
Israeli security forces secure a road near where Israel's government says a drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, Israel Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP)
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Strike Launched toward Israeli Prime Minister’s House

Israeli security forces secure a road near where Israel's government says a drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, Israel Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP)
Israeli security forces secure a road near where Israel's government says a drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in Caesarea, Israel Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP)

Israel’s government said a drone was launched toward the prime minister’s house Saturday, with no casualties.

Sirens wailed Saturday morning in Israel, warning of incoming fire from Lebanon, with a drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house in Caesarea, the Israeli government said.

Neither he nor his wife were home and there were no casualties, said his spokesperson in a statement.

The strikes into Israel come as its war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah — a Hamas ally backed by Iran — has intensified in recent weeks.

Hezbollah said Friday that it planned to launch a new phase of fighting by sending more guided missiles and exploding drones into Israel. The armed group’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in late September, and Israel sent ground troops into Lebanon earlier in October.

A standoff is also ensuing between Israel and Hamas, which it’s fighting in Gaza, with both signaling resistance to ending the war after Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar this week.

On Friday, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, said Sinwar’s death was a painful loss but noted that Hamas carried on despite the killings of other Palestinian militant leaders before him.

“Hamas is alive and will stay alive,” Khamenei said.