Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Just four hours ago, there was meant to be a ceasefire and it didn't eventuate.
00:04 We heard that from Hamas officials.
00:06 But despite that, and actually almost because of that, the fact that they're actually talking
00:10 about times now is a sign to me that something is progressing.
00:15 The other thing is last night, Israel's war cabinet met on an emergency basis and it was
00:20 addressed by two of the officials most responsible for the negotiations, including the head of
00:25 Israel's security service, intelligence service, the Mossad.
00:29 We've also heard in the Israeli media today that a Palestinian Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehia
00:36 Sinwar, is now back in communication with Qatar, the mediators in this deal.
00:41 He had cut off communication over Israel's entry into Shifa Hospital.
00:46 That's now resumed.
00:47 So I think all of these things are signs now we're hearing from players, the Qatari prime
00:53 minister, Israel's ambassador to the US, not just journalists.
00:57 We're actually hearing from players that a deal is imminent.
00:59 So I would say it's edging closer.
01:01 And what exactly do we know about the details of such a hostage deal?
01:07 What we know is this, Annette.
01:09 We understand that it would be an exchange of some 50 women and children, Israeli hostages
01:16 held by Hamas in return for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails, an unspecified
01:24 number I've read more than 100.
01:26 All of this would also include a five day ceasefire, which I think is the most important
01:31 thing for Hamas.
01:32 There is a discussion about Israel insisting that the mothers be released with their children,
01:38 not just children.
01:39 Hamas demanding that Israel stop its air reconnaissance so that they can actually get from one place
01:44 to another without revealing their locations.
01:46 But as the Qatari prime minister said, those seem to be details.
01:50 The principle is now in place.
01:53 So I think you and I just have to watch to see if and when this deal actually will come
01:58 through on those terms or others.