US pushes for pause in Gaza as Israel suffers worst loss of soldiers

Source: Reuters

US pushes for pause in Gaza as Israel suffers worst loss of soldiers

By Arafat Barbakh, Emily Rose and Jeff Mason
January 23, 2024 4:23 PM EST Updated an hour ago

• LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
• Talks focus on initial ceasefire of about 30 days, sources say
• Hamas armed wing claims responsibility for attack that killed 21 Israeli soldiers
• UN secretary-general criticises Israel's rejection of two-state solution
• Aid warehouse hit, aid distribution centre under heavy bombardment, UN official says

GAZA/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Intense international mediation efforts are working toward exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners during a proposed month-long ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reported on Tuesday, as the White House said its envoy was having active discussions on the issue.

Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have held shuttle diplomacy since Dec. 28 and Israel and Hamas broadly agree in principle to the framework plan, sources said. It is being held up by the two sides' differences over how to bring a permanent end to the Gaza war, sources said.

The U.S. State Department and White House, Qatar's foreign ministry and Egypt's State Information Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Reuters report.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-calls-israel-protect-innocent-forces-storm-gaza-hospital-2024-01-22/

Alternate no-paywall link: https://news.yahoo.com/us-calls-israel-protect-innocent-233700822.html