Journal: American pressure on Israel to allow the exit of “Qassam” fighters from the tunnels

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Yemen – Agencies

The Financial Times newspaper revealed US efforts and international mediation to pressure Israel to allow 150 Al-Qassam Brigades fighters to exit tunnels into Israeli-controlled areas in the Gaza Strip.

According to the newspaper’s sources, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was initially ready to approve the measure earlier this week, but Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly opposed it.

The newspaper quoted a source as saying: “The aim of the war was to disarm Hamas. So if they go free, that would be contrary to the aims of the war.”

The newspaper reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed this issue with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Witkoff described the results of these negotiations as “a test before additional efforts to disarm Hamas.”

This follows the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, the United States and Turkey. But tensions returned after Netanyahu ordered, on the evening of October 28, “strong strikes on the Gaza Strip” following an alleged violation of the truce, according to the Israeli account.

Hamas denied its involvement in the incidents that Israel used to justify the resumption of strikes, and affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. While the Ministry of Health in Gaza announces 104 dead and 253 injured following Israeli strikes.

Yemen