A Hamas delegation traveled to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza war. The talks have already started – but without Israel. The country first wants to see progress on a hostage deal.
According to the terrorist organization Hamas, intensified talks about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have begun in Cairo. Meetings have been started with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators, Taher Al-Nono, an adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, told the Reuters news agency.
Hamas is taking their suggestions “with full seriousness and responsibility.” At the same time, Al-Nono also reiterates Hamas’s demand for an agreement that must also include Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war.
However, Israel had previously repeatedly rejected this. “Israel will under no circumstances agree to ending the war as part of a deal to free our hostages,” an official, who declined to be named, told Reuters.
Israel wants progress on hostage deal first
The negotiations also started in Cairo without an Israeli delegation, as several media reported, citing Israeli sources. Israel only wants to send a team when there is a prospect of the hostages being released.
“What we are striving for is an agreement on a framework for a possible hostage agreement,” said Israeli government circles, according to the AFP news agency. Sending an Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea to Cairo “would be the sign of a positive development regarding this framework.” In order to reach an agreement, “tough and lengthy negotiations are expected”.
Hamas spoke of “positive attitude”
Nevertheless, Hamas had previously signaled that it would give in. There are still points to be discussed and clarifications to be made, but overall they are traveling to Cairo with a “positive attitude” to the indirect negotiations in order to reach an agreement, Hamas circles said in advance.
The US, Egypt and Qatari mediators have been waiting for days for a response from Hamas to a proposal to stop fighting for 40 days and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. But while Hamas continues to demand a comprehensive ceasefire – including a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip – Israel insists it wants to destroy Hamas.