The Heat: Long-term cease-fire in Gaza under negotiation

The Heat

With a new temporary truce in place, negotiators from Israel and Hamas have resumed indirect talks to reach a long-term cease-fire in Gaza. We ask representatives of Hamas and Israel about reports of progress, and what lies ahead for the people of Gaza and the Jewish state.

“The senseless cycle of suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in Israel, must end.” — U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Anand Naidoo in Washington, D.C. discuss the issues going on in Gaza in today’s The Heats show

The latest negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to have stalled according to the Israeli newspaper Harretz. Earlier reports said some progress had been made. But both Israeli and Palestinian sources tell Haaretz that large gaps remain.

The latest report comes after news that Israel agreed to ease conditions in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians accuse the Israelis of trying to formalize the blockade by easing conditions, but not lifting the siege. Israel’s key demand remains the demilitarization of Gaza. CTV America’s Stephanie Freid reports from Tel Aviv.

Osama Hamdan has been the top Hamas representative to Lebanon since 1998, and serves as the group’s spokesman. He joins us now from Beirut.

Joining us from Tel Aviv is the spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Paul Hirschson.