Netanyahu says no deal yet on Gaza cease-fire, remains bullish on Rafah operation

from Politico

There’s no deal yet on a potential Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

“I’m not sure of the exact duration [of a cease-fire], but I can tell you we’re all working on it, he said on CBS’ “Face The Nation” of ongoing talks between the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar.

“We want it. I want it. We want to liberate the remaining hostages. We’ve already brought half of them back and I appreciate the combined effort of Israel and the United States to bring back the remaining hostages. I can’t tell you if we’ll have it,” he added.

The draft deal includes the release of up to 40 women and older hostages held in Gaza in return for up to 300 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, mostly women, minors and older people, according to a senior Egyptian official, the Associated Press reported.

The proposed six-week pause in fighting would allow hundreds of aid trucks to enter Gaza every day, including the northern half of the besieged territory, the AP reported. Negotiators face an unofficial deadline of the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan around March 10...

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