The risk of a general conflagration in the Middle East is now more visible than ever as the talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo for a ceasefire in Gaza ended without an agreement.
Risk of generalizing the war
The national security adviser of the US presidency also expressed his concern about the risk of generalization of the war in the region. Jake Sullivan.
The shooting continues
At the same time, Hamas’ armed wing claimed responsibility for the long-range rocket launch from southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, while Hassan Nasrallah, in a speech, denied that Israel had destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers and left open the possibility of a new strike, after the account of yesterday’s attack.
No deal for now
Talks aimed at declaring a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip ended last Sunday night without an agreement, as neither Hamas nor Israel accepted the new proposal presented to them by mediators, two sources of the Reuters news agency said shortly ago in 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.”
The demands of Hamas
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 the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sources: ERTNews, APE-MPE, Reuters, Times of Israel, Haaretz, ert.gr
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