Israel would let 150,000 Gazans return north in potential truce, officials say

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

April 10, 2024 8:06 AM EDT Updated 2 hours ago


JERUSALEM, April 10 (Reuters) - Israel has agreed in Gaza war ceasefire talks in Egypt to concessions about the return of Palestinians to the north of the enclave, but believes Islamist group Hamas does not want to strike a deal, Israeli officials said on Wednesday.

Two officials with knowledge of the talks said that under a U.S. proposal for a truce, Israel would allow the return of 150,000 Palestinians to north Gaza with no security checks. In return, they said, Hamas would be required to give a list of female, elderly and sick hostages it still holds alive.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment. Hamas said on Tuesday that the latest proposal passed on by Eqyptian and Qatari mediators did not meet demands, but that it would study it further before responding. Israel's assessment is that Hamas does not want to strike a deal yet, the two Israeli officials said.

In the seventh month of the war, Hamas wants an end to the Israeli military offensive, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home. Israel's immediate aim is to secure the release of hostages seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 cross-border rampage. It says it will not end the war until Hamas no longer controls Gaza or threatens Israel militarily.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-would-let-150000-gazans-return-north-potential-truce-officials-say-2024-04-10/

[Mister Ed]

1. But return to what, I wonder.

I try to imagine myself as a Gazan refugee returning to the home I fled, and the images are tragic.

[MOMFUDSKI]

2. That must have been some kinda Come to

Jesus meeting with Joe!

[Johnny2X2X]

3. Hamas won't release the hostages

They're already saying no to any deal.

The problem is Hamas leadership doesn't really care because they aren't in gaza, they and their families live in other countries.

[Richard D]

7. Today three of Haniyeh's sons . . .

. . . were killed in Gaza along with a number of his grandchildren. Of course, he is safe in his Palatial home in Qatar.

[Johnny2X2X]

10. They view civilian suffering as a positive

They’ve flat out said that all of this carnage is giving them more young recruits who will hate Israel and blame them for all of this.

That’s not to say that I don’t think BiBi is awful and handling things poorly, but you’re dealing with Hamas who literally is cheering Palestinian civilian deaths and suffering.

[Richard D]

11. Yes. Cheering and also causing the deaths.

As far as I'm concerned, every. single. civilian. death. is 100% on Hamas.

And they will do it again and again until they are totally destroyed.

There is no logic nor negotiating with those who worship death and martyrdom.

[Johnny2X2X]

13. Hamas caused the war

And bear most of the responsibility for the deaths IMO. But not all of it. The attack was horrific and the methods Hamas is using are cowardly, but that doesn't absolve Israel from adhering to the law and taking more care not to harm innocent civilians. Sure, Hamas has their fighters hiding in civilian populations and hospitals, but that still doesn't mean you should bomb civlians and hospitals.

When there is so much hate on both sides, both side's leaders will excuse misconduct. I think what's unfortunate is that Hamas's leaders and Bibi both want more hate, more hate helps them. The more hate Hamas sees from both sides, the more powerful they think they become. The more hate Bibi sees from both sides, the stronger he thinks his hold on power is.

And the prevention of aid getting in is vindictive IMO. It's an act of revenge to make regular people suffer for 10/7, and it's putting absolutely zero pressure on Hamas if that is the excuse. Hamas feeds off the cruelty of it all and see it as a positive for them. Hamas is demented and evil, but Israel shouldn't use that as an excuse for revenge.

[TheProle]

15. His response

"Haniyeh, in his first statement following the attack, told Al Jazeera: "Thank God for the honor of my children and grandchildren being martyrs."

He continued: "The enemy is delusional if he thinks that by killing my sons we will change our positions. The blood of my sons is not more precious than the blood of our martyred people in Gaza, as they are all my sons."

[Richard D]

16. Predictable. nt

[sarisataka]

4. Why isn't Hamas accepting a cease fire?

It seems there are several more than fair offers that have been put forth to them. It's like they want the suffering of their people to continue.

[cstanleytech]

9. Because HAMAS needs fresh recruits and it's using what's happening in GAZA as fuel to get them.

That's why HAMAS attacked as peace in the region is bad for business and it could see them pushed out of power in GAZA.

[AloeVera]

5. Haniyeh's family members killed by airstrikes reported just now.

Three of Hamas leader Haniyeh's sons, as well as 2 grandchildren, were killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza. A third grandchild wounded.

It's a perilous moment in ceasefire negotiations. What is the meaning of this?



https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/three-sons-hamas-leader-haniyeh-killed-israeli-airstrike-2024-04-10/

[Richard D]

12. He has 10 more.

I wonder if he is celebrating their martyrdom.

[twodogsbarking]

8. Good one. Watch out.

[Delphinus]

14. To what would they return?

Heaps of rubble?