Palestinian state: Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognize amid Israel-Hamas war
NBCMay 22
Report: Israel and Hamas to Restart Negotiations
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Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A senior Israeli official said that cease-fire and hostage talks between Israel and Hamas are due to resume next week, as Mossad chief David Barnea returned to Israel on Saturday from a meeting in Paris with the head of the CIA and Qatari prime minister.
According to him, the trio agreed to rekindle negotiations over the release of hostages taken during the Hamas Oct. 7 attack within the framework of a truce deal based on new proposals put forth by Egypt and Qatar with active US involvement.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and the Biden administration will not support any further offensive action in Rafah. Netanyahu must keep his promises and work with US allies to find a resolution to this conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel once again signals its good faith and desire to find a way to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, agreeing to restart talks even after the terms of a deal that had already been signed off were furtively altered to make it more favorable to Hamas. Hopefully, renewed negotiations will lead to an acceptable agreement this time.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is merely acting to buy more time to continue its criminal aggression against the Gaza Strip, as there is no guarantee that Israel will agree to new proposals in a new round of negotiations. If Israel really wants an agreement, it's up to them to accept the cease-fire proposal that Hamas has already agreed to and withdraw from Gaza.
