Protests escalate in Jerusalem: Family members of captives call for a negotiation agreement

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, negotiations are intensifying as both parties strive for a resolution.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has not publicly stated any conditions for ending the war, but previous statements suggest he is engaged in intense negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu is demanding the surrender and disarmament of Hamas, which Hamas rejects. However, Hamas has agreed to a mediator's proposal for a ceasefire.

The diplomatic efforts to end the war are being led by the USA, Qatar, and Egypt. Qatar has been acting as a mediator for peace between Israel and Hamas, but recent Israeli attacks on Qatar have disrupted the diplomatic mediation network. No other countries have declared by this weekend to present a peace agreement proposal between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas is open to "any ideas and proposals" that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, the import of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The Forum of Hostage Families has stated that Netanyahu's personal survival instinct should not be prioritized over the necessity of bringing back all hostages and preventing unnecessary deaths.

Netanyahu's right-wing extremist coalition partners are against a ceasefire, and the prime minister is now insisting on a comprehensive deal for the release of all hostages at once. A new proposal for an agreement is expected this week, involving the release of all hostages and an end to the conflict.

Thousands of people protested outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, demanding immediate negotiations. Critics accuse Netanyahu of unnecessarily dragging out the war.

Meanwhile, a video showing Gilboa-Dalal, seated in a car, stating he is in Gaza City was released by Hamas on Friday. The circumstances under which the video was made and whether the man spoke of his own free will or under duress were initially unclear. The footage is said to be from late August.

As the potential Israeli military offensive in Gaza looms, the Forum calls on Netanyahu's government to accept the current proposal and immediately begin negotiations on a comprehensive agreement for the return of all hostages. The Forum also criticizes Israel for not reacting to Hamas' response to the mediators after three weeks.

The fate of the remaining 20 hostages out of the 48 in Gaza is still uncertain, with it being unclear if Hamas is willing to release them all at once. The proposed agreement involves a 60-day ceasefire during which ten live hostages would initially be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

As the situation develops, both parties and the international community continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Protests escalate in Jerusalem: Family members of captives call for a negotiation agreement