ARAB AND WORLD
Sat 30 Mar 2024 10:23 am - Jerusalem Time
Netanyahu Approves New Gaza Ceasefire Talks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo, his office said, days after the negotiations appeared stalled.
Since the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding an "immediate ceasefire", Hamas and Israel have traded blame for their failure to agree a deal.
Mediator Qatar said that talks between Hamas and Israel on a Gaza truce and hostage release were continuing, but the warring sides and mediators have offered little information since.
Netanyahu's office said the premier spoke to Mossad chief David Barnea about the talks.
The war began when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.
Israel's military has waged a retaliatory offensive against Hamas that has killed 32,623 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
Palestinian militants seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the attack, but dozens were released during a week-long truce in November.
Israel believes about 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead -- eight soldiers and 25 civilians.
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Netanyahu Approves New Gaza Ceasefire Talks