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Middle East conflict

Gaza ceasefire talks suspended — radio

The talks have reached an impasse because the parties to the conflict cannot agree on the conditions for the release of hostages, the Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported

TEL AVIV, May 18. /TASS/. Negotiations between the Israeli government and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas have been suspended, the Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported, citing its sources.

The talks have reached an impasse because the parties to the conflict cannot agree on the conditions for the release of hostages.

"The sources indicated that the differences between the sides are very wide, especially over the term 'end of the war' as well as Israel's demand to veto the names of terrorists whose release Hamas may demand," Kan said.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes have also been reported on the West Bank. In late November 2023, a temporary humanitarian ceasefire was brokered by Egypt and Qatar that lasted a week, during which 110 hostages were released, according to Israel. On December 1, the ceasefire was violated and fighting resumed, continuing to this day.

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Palestine Israel

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