Negotiators Insist That Netanyahu Soften Position on Gaza for Sake of Truce – Reports
Sputnik International
International negotiators are urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show more flexibility in resolving the conflict with Hamas in Gaza in order to achieve a truce, as reported by the New York Times. The call comes ahead of a meeting in Rome involving Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Israel to discuss a truce in Gaza.
Israeli officials attribute the hardened stance at the talks to Netanyahu, whose maneuverability is limited by opposing voices within his right-wing government. Israel seeks to maintain military checkpoints in Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling by Hamas.
Despite previous negotiations, hurdles remain due to Israeli demands to control the Gaza-Egypt border, which Egypt opposes. Talks have faced setbacks, with no breakthrough achieved in recent rounds of negotiations in Qatar and Egypt.