Families of Israelis held in Hamas captivity protest calling for the government to find a solution to have the hostages released, outside IDF military headquarters in Tel Aviv, February 20, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.)
Channel 12 says high-level forum approves sending negotiators led by Mossad head to French capital; decision comes amid reports this week that Hamas has softened its demands.
Israel’s war cabinet voted on Thursday to dispatch a delegation to Paris for high-stakes talks on a hostage deal and accompanying truce in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, according to Hebrew-language media reports.
The unconfirmed but widely reported decision likely signals that Israel believes progress on a so-far elusive deal is still possible, amid reports that the Hamas terror group could be willing to soften demands rejected by Jerusalem.
According to Channel 12 news, the war cabinet unanimously approved sending a team led by the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service to Paris for the talks over the weekend. Qatar, Egypt and the US are mediating a potential deal to free more than 100 hostages Hamas is believed to be holding since its October 7 massacre in Israel.
The decision came after top White House official Brett McGurk held talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials centered around the negotiations.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby described the discussions with the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa as “constructive,” adding that Washington remains fully committed to doing everything to achieve a hostage deal in exchange for an extended pause.
The US has been pressing for an agreement, hoping to stave off a planned Israeli offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where some 1 million displaced Gazans are huddling. Washington vetoed an Arab-backed United Nations Security Council resolution earlier this week demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, saying such a move would interfere with the efforts to reach a truce.
“Though gaps remain, the key elements are on the table,” said US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, adding that the deal remains the best opportunity to free the hostages and have a sustained pause that would enable lifesaving aid to get to Palestinian civilians.
The broad terms of the framework include at least a six-week halt to hostilities and a release of some 100 remaining hostages taken on October 7 and held by Hamas in Gaza since.
Mediators have been trying for months to broker a pause in fighting and hostage release deal. Talks have been stuck since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected what he said were “delusional” demands from Hamas seeking the release of thousands of inmates, including hundreds serving life sentences, an end to the war in exchange for freeing the hostages, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.
This week, mediators have been making a new push to break the deadlock as Hamas politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo Tuesday for talks. A day later the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that “Hamas has softened its positions.”
Speaking in a virtual briefing with reporters, Kirby, the White House spokesperson, did not confirm Axios reporting that CIA Director Bill Burns was going to meet in Paris with Qatari, Egyptian and Israeli officials.
“I can’t confirm the specific reports about Paris but I can absolutely reassure you that discussions are ongoing,” Kirby said.
A previous round of talks in late January included Burns, Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.
McGurk, who arrived from Egypt, also held talks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
The Defense Ministry said the discussion with McGurk covered returning hostages, “operational developments in Hamas strongholds in central and southern Gaza, and humanitarian aid efforts.”
Gallant also stressed the “importance of dismantling remaining Hamas battalions,” the ministry said.
Gallant told McGurk Israel would “expand the authority given to our hostage negotiators.”
“At the same time, the IDF is preparing the continuation of intense ground operations,” he added.
Israel has vowed to topple Hamas as the rulers of Gaza after thousands of terrorists led by the terror group went on a killing rampage across southern Israel on October 7, slaughtering some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 253 others hostage.
This handout photo shows Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, right, meeting with US envoy Brett McGurk, February 22, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry.)
