U.S., Qatar and Egypt invite Israel and Hamas for summit to finalize Gaza deal
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A Palestinian girl in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 7, 2024, following Israeli bombardment amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Photo: Eyad Baba/AFP
President Biden, the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are calling on Israel and Hamas to take part in a final round of negotiations next week to finalize a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, the three leaders said in a joint statement on Thursday.
Why it matters: U.S. officials said in recent days that a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal is the only way to calm regional tensions that reached a new height after Israel assassinated a top Hezbollah military commander in Beirut and Hamas' political leader in Tehran last week.
- The Biden administration is trying deter Iran and Hezbollah from attacking Israel as part of a retaliation to the assassinations, while also pushing for a diplomatic solution.
Driving the news: The negotiations over the hostage and ceasefire deal stalled in recent weeks over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new conditions.
- The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh deepened the crisis over the hostage and ceasefire talks.
"It is time, immediately, to put an end to the long-standing suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, as well as the hostages and their families. It is time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and release the hostages and detainees," Biden, Sheikh Tamim and al-Sisi said in the statement.
- The three leaders said there is a framework agreement on the table and only its implementation details need to be finalized.
- "No more time should be wasted, and there should be no excuses by any party for further postponement," they said.
- Biden and his counterparts from Egypt and Qatar said they are prepared "if necessary" to put forward a final proposal to settle the remaining gaps related to implementation of the deal "in a way that meets the expectations of all parties."
- "We have called on the two sides to resume urgent talks on Thursday, August 15 in (Doha or Cairo) to fill all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without any delay," they added.
What they're saying: "This recent statement re-affirms what we've long known: a deal is the only path to bring all hostages home," the Hostage Families Forum Headquarters said in a statement.
The latest: The Israeli Prime Minister's office said "Israel will send on August 15 its negotiations team to a place to be determined, to finalize the details for the implementation of the framework of the Gaza hostage deal."
Behind the scenes: A senior U.S. official told reporters on Thursday that the decision to publish the joint statement and convene the summit next week was the result of phone calls Biden had on Tuesday with the Emir of Qatar and the President of Egypt.
- The U.S. official said the Egyptians and Qataris proposed convening the summit and Biden supported it.
- A senior Israeli official said the summit was an idea raised by the U.S. in recent days and Israel was aware in advance of the joint statement by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.
- "Israel will go anywhere and cooperate with any initiative that can promote a deal for the release of the hostages," the Israeli official said.
- A source familiar with the negotiations said the planned summit is a "Hail Mary" attempt by the Biden administration to get a deal and prevent a regional war.
What's next: Before the summit next Thursday, there will be preparatory talks by teams from all sides to lay the groundwork, the senior U.S. official told reporters.
- "On Thursday, the negotiations will be resumed. We do not expect to reach an agreement on Thursday. This is a beginning and not an end. There is an urgency to get this process back on track," the U.S. official said.
But the official noted that gaps remain between Israel and Hamas on several issues related to the implementation of the hostage and ceasefire deal and that both sides hold tough positions on them.
- He said that if by Thursday there is no closing of gaps between Israel and Hamas and if the U.S., Egypt and Qatar think it could help, they might present a bridging proposal to close the gaps.
- "The gaps that remain are bridgeable and we don't have time to lose," the U.S. official said.
- "We had deep discussions with the Israelis this week. We think there is a way forward. Israel and Hamas will have to make decisions. Most of the work has been done and the deal is on the table — and it is possible to get a deal. There are lives on the line."
The big picture: The U.S. official said the invitation to the summit is not directly related to regional tensions and emphasized that it is necessary to reach a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza regardless.
- "But Iran has publicly stated that if there is a ceasefire in Gaza it may affect its position. If they start on a major war in the Middle East and launch an attack on Israel, it will jeopardize any chance of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza," the official said.
- He added that "the consequences of such an attack would be serious for Iran and its economy."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
