International

Israel Proposes Departure of Senior Hamas Leaders from Gaza

Israel Proposes Departure of Senior Hamas Leaders from Gaza

CNN reported today, Tuesday, that Israel has proposed the departure of senior leaders of the Palestinian Hamas movement from the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader agreement for a ceasefire in the region. The American network quoted two sources deemed knowledgeable but did not disclose their identities, stating that the proposal was discussed at least twice last month by the head of Israeli intelligence (Mossad), once in the Polish capital, Warsaw, and again during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel.

According to the news network, the discussions apparently did not address the names of the senior leaders that Israel proposes to have leave the region, where the Israeli army has been engaged in intense warfare for three and a half months. Over 25,000 people have been killed and more than 60,000 injured in the Israeli bombing campaign, as reported by the Arab World News Agency.

CNN also indicated that the head of Mossad discussed the proposal with U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns. The network noted that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani informed Blinken in Doha that the proposal is impractical. The Qatari Prime Minister cited the lack of trust from Hamas that Israel would halt its war even if its leaders agreed to exit Gaza.

However, the network reported that the Israeli proposal comes amid intensified diplomatic activity to reach a long-term ceasefire agreement and secure the release of Israeli captives in Gaza. It added that American and international officials familiar with the negotiations described the recent participation of Israel and Hamas in discussions as "encouraging," but it does not appear that a deal is imminent.

Our readers are reading too