Israel Hamas does not want to negotiate new conditions for ceasefire

The Islamist Hamas says it will not negotiate any new conditions for a ceasefire or the release of hostages. The new Gaza talks in Qatar should only be about the implementation of the peace plan already presented by US President Joe Biden, but not about its details, the German Press Agency was told by circles within the group.

They would "no longer accept any tactics" and had made this clear to the mediators. The mediators would only be informed about the talks in Doha if there were "serious intentions" on the part of Israel.

The important round of negotiations in Qatar on a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war was due to begin on Thursday. Depending on the course of the negotiations, it is possible that the talks will continue on Friday, according to dpa, according to people familiar with the talks. Hamas, which is not taking part, is also to be kept "constantly" informed in Doha about the progress of the talks.

As in previous rounds, CIA chief William Burns, Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel were expected to attend the negotiations. The head of the Mossad foreign intelligence service, David Barnea, is to attend on behalf of Israel. As Israel and Hamas are not negotiating directly with each other, Qatar, Egypt and the USA are acting as mediators.

The talks are seen as a decisive moment in the attempt to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for prisoners in the Gaza war. A breakthrough could also prevent a major retaliatory strike by Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon against Israel and thus an expansion of the war. However, expectations are low because negotiations have been at a standstill for months.