US, Qatar, and Egypt push urgent talks with Israel and Hamas

Leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar called for immediate negotiations between Israel and Hamas to take place on August 15, aiming to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release agreement for Gaza.

In a joint statement released on August 8, the three nations, which have been actively mediating the conflict, proposed that the talks be held either in Doha or Cairo, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The statement emphasized that a framework agreement is already on the table, with only the implementation details pending. "There is no further time to waste nor excuses for further delay," the leaders asserted. "It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement."

The three countries also offered to present a "final bridging proposal" to resolve the remaining issues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli negotiators would participate, focusing on finalizing and implementing the framework agreement. Hamas had not yet responded to the call for talks.

This push for urgent negotiations comes amid increasing concerns about a potential broader regional conflict involving Iran, following the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah members. A senior U.S. administration official indicated that while the agreement might not be finalized by next week, progress on critical issues, such as the sequencing of exchanges between Hamas and Israel, is necessary.

The U.S. official also clarified that the statement was not intended to influence Iran directly but warned that any escalation by Iran could undermine efforts to secure an Israel-Hamas deal.

Iran's mission to the United Nations stated earlier on Thursday that it is focused on two priorities: establishing a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and withdrawing occupying forces, while also seeking accountability for the assassination of former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on July 31.

The conflict in Gaza erupted following Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and 250 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli figures. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 39,699 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Israeli military campaign, though the figures do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.