Gaza: esperanza de avances en las conversaciones sobre el alto el fuego en Riad
Published: Saturday, Apr 27th 2024, 14:50
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According to the President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), there appears to be some movement in the negotiations on the release of further hostages from the Gaza Strip and a possible ceasefire. "There is some movement in the talks about the hostages and a possible way out of the impasse we are in," said Forum President Børge Brende in Riyadh on Saturday. Parallel to an economic forum on Sunday and Monday, talks are planned there between the foreign ministers of the USA, Great Britain, Germany and several Arab countries, as well as with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has assembled a "good group", Brende told journalists. The "main players" would meet in Riyadh, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who would visit Riyadh on his way from China and before a return visit to Israel. Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country is mediating between the Islamist Hamas and Israel together with Egypt and the USA, is also expected to attend. Israel will not be attending, said Brende.
On Sunday and Monday, the Open Forum, a WEF business conference on topics including the environment, health and finance, will take place in Riyadh. In addition to the political talks taking place alongside the forum, many issues relating to Gaza will have to be discussed. These include the reconstruction of the largely destroyed coastal area, which will cost "billions". In addition, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is still impaired due to the attacks from Yemen.
The talks on the Gaza war, in which German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will also take part, are scheduled for Monday. Already on Saturday, Arab foreign ministers wanted to find a "united Arab position" in advance and also consult with a representative of the Palestinian Authority - presumably Abbas. However, it was reported that he would not be attending the ministerial meeting with the Western countries. Egypt's Foreign Minister Samih Shukri traveled to Riyadh on Saturday, according to sources at the airport in Cairo.
The news site Axios reported, citing US government officials, that Blinken would arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and was expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The USA had held talks with Saudi Arabia about the latter's possible normalization of relations with Israel, which were suspended after the start of the Gaza war. However, the Crown Prince has continued to express his country's "great interest" in this. According to reports, the kingdom is hoping in return for security guarantees from the USA and help with the development of a civilian nuclear program.
According to Hamas, it has received a new proposal from Israel for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of hostages. "Hamas will examine this proposal and submit a response," wrote senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hajaer in a message posted on Telegram on Saturday. Israel is putting Hamas under increasing time pressure in the indirect negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and, according to media reports, is threatening the announced ground offensive in the city of Rafah.
©Keystone/SDA
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