(5 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Istanbul, Turkey – 5 December 2024
1. Hamas political official Bassem Naim sitting in his office
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Bassem Naim, Hamas political official:
"I’m not directly involved in the negotiations file but what I got from our brothers and colleagues in the movement is that yes, there are (is a) reactivation of the negotiation talks but still we do not have a solid, well-formed deal. But I think it is not a big challenge for us to reach a deal because we have, already, I mean, if there are intentions on the other side, I mean (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his government, to reach a deal. Because our assessment was, all the time that Netanyahu is not willing to go for a deal."
3. Poster on wall
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bassem Naim, Hamas political official:
"We hope that the changes in particular in the United States after electing President (-elect Donald) Trump, who, during the election campaign loudly and publicly stated that he is going to stop all wars, he is coming to the office and he wants to see all wars are, have ended. We hope that this will really affect the situation positively and as soon as possible that we can reach a ceasefire in Gaza."
5. Flag with Hamas emblem
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bassem Naim, Hamas political official:
"There can be a discussion about these points, but at the end, Israel has to withdraw totally from the Philadelphi corridor and Rafah border has to be opened immediately."
7. Naim’s hand
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Bassem Naim, Hamas political official:
"I think if you ask any Palestinian, not only Hamas, Hamas or Fatah or anyone will reject the presence of any foreign forces, regardless of its country, its political affiliation. And we have said that many times any foreign presence, physical presence on the ground, which is not Palestinian and which is imposed from outside on the ground, we are going to deal with it as an enemy."
9. Naim walking away
STORYLINE:
A Hamas official said Thursday that international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war was within reach.
Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States because of frustration over a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas.
But there has been a resumption of efforts in recent days to end the fighting, release hostages from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel, according to Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political bureau who spoke with The Associated Press in Turkey.
Another official familiar with the talks confirmed the return of Qatari mediators.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media.
Since the talks broke down, there have been significant shifts in the global and regional landscape. Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, and a ceasefire was declared last week between Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump is a staunch supporter of Israel, but Naim said he believes the incoming administration could “affect the situation positively” given that Trump had made halting wars in the region part of his campaign platform.
Trump this week called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza by the time he takes office on Jan. 20, saying there would be “hell to pay” if that doesn’t happen.
A third, final phase would focus on reconstruction.
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