Talks aimed at declaring a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip ended on Sunday night without an agreement, as neither Hamas nor Israel accepted the new proposal presented to them by mediators, two sources told the Reuters news agency. Egyptian security forces.
Delegations from both Hamas and Israel have left Cairo, but some sources with knowledge of the talks remain optimistic that differences will be overcome and an agreement reached.
The talks are in a new phase
A source familiar with what was said at the summit in Cairo said according to Haaretz that the talks are entering a new phase to bridge the differences between the two sides.
“Today’s talks were held in a positive atmosphere and the groups are entering another phase of negotiations and an important process to bridge differences,” the source said.
According to the source, “there are still disagreements between the parties. Despite the productive talks, there is still a way to go.”
Hamas said its delegation left Cairo after meeting Qatari and Egyptian mediators and being briefed on the outcome of the negotiations. Hamas demanded that Israel abide by the agreements reached on July 2, according to President Biden’s framework and the UN Security Council resolution.
Hamas said: “We stressed that any agreement must include a full and permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal from the Strip, the return of the displaced, freedom of movement, reconstruction and a serious prisoner exchange agreement.”
At the same time, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the group stands by its July 2 proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, rejects the new Israeli terms and says talks about an imminent deal are bogus. “We will not accept discussions about withdrawals from what we agreed on July 2 or new terms,” he said, speaking on Al-Aqsa television.
Optimism in Israel
Israel’s Channel 12 reports, however, that talks in Cairo are moving in the right direction and, citing unnamed officials, reports that Hamas leader Yahya Shinwar is under intense pressure to accept the deal.
The report adds that the Israeli negotiating team has returned to Israel from Cairo and will discuss next steps with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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