Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas brokered by Qatar have made positive progress. Doha itself said it was optimistic about the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
The following are the latest developments regarding Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon, as compiled by CNBC Indonesia from various sources on Tuesday (27/2/2024).
Qatar Optimistic About Ceasefire Negotiations
Qatar is optimistic that a ceasefire agreement or cessation of hostilities will be reached before Ramadan, which is likely to start on March 10. However, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said it was still too early to make an announcement.
“Many developments have occurred and we feel optimistic,” said al-Ansari, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
He emphasized that the Israeli delegation was in Qatar to continue talks regarding a temporary cessation of Israel's war in Gaza which could result in the release of the prisoners.
He added that Qatar was “pushing hard” for the framework proposal it put forward with the United States (US), Israel and Egypt in Paris to be supported by Hamas.
US Says Israel Has Started Transferring Tax Revenue to Palestine
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Israel has agreed to start transferring tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Yellen said money was starting to flow and “it must continue.”
Under the current peace agreement, Israel's Ministry of Finance collects taxes from Palestinians and provides monthly transfers to the Palestinian Authority.
About a month after the October 7 attack, the Israeli government decided to withhold funds allocated to the Gaza Strip. PA refused to accept the transfer of some of the money.
Yellen said she also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recent letter, to restore work permits for Palestinians and reduce trade barriers in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Troops Stop Evacuation Convoy, Force Naked Paramedics
The UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Israeli military stopped a medical evacuation convoy in the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. They also detained a paramedic and forced others to remove their clothes until they were completely naked.
It said the incident occurred on Sunday during the evacuation of 24 patients from al-Amal Hospital in the city, which had been surrounded by Israeli forces.
“Even though all staff members and vehicles had coordinated with the Israeli side, Israeli forces blocked the convoy [Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia] WHO led for hours as the convoy left the hospital,” Jens Laerke, an OCHA spokesman, told reporters in Geneva.
“The Israeli military forced patients and staff out of ambulances and stripped all paramedics of their clothing,” Laerke said. “Three Palestinian Red Crescent Society paramedics were later detained, even though their personal data had been shared with Israeli forces beforehand.”
He said one paramedic was later released and called for the release of two others as well as all other jailed health workers.
Jordanian King Asks USAID to Double Aid to Gaza
Jordan's King Abdullah II said increasing aid to Gaza was needed to prevent an escalating famine crisis, affecting more than two million people in the besieged enclave.
In remarks reported in state media, he told visiting USAID chief Samantha Power that the international community must put more pressure on Israel to ease restrictions on food flows to the region.
Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza fell by 50 percent in February compared with January despite the ICJ ruling one month ago that Israel must take “immediate and effective measures” for the provision of aid.
Animals at Gaza Zoo Die of Starvation
Officials in Gaza say animals are dying of starvation at a zoo in the besieged enclave. The incident occurred amid an Israeli siege that prevented staff from reaching the compound to feed the animals.
Two workers were injured as they tried to reach the facility in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, which has been damaged as the Israeli army continues to wage war on Gaza.
About 100 animals, including lions, monkeys, wolves and birds, are housed in the zoo.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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