Israel and Hamas fail to agree on Gaza ceasefire in Cairo talks
Hamas and Israel unable to finalise Gaza ceasefire deal in Cairo
Israeli and Hamas delegations could not reach an agreement during the Gaza ceasefire discussions in Cairo on Sunday. Both parties declined several compromises suggested by mediators, according to sources.
A senior U.S. official described the talks as “constructive,” noting all sides showed a willingness to achieve “a final and implementable agreement.” The official added discussions will continue over the coming days through working groups to resolve remaining issues and details.
BREAKING: Talks in Cairo aimed at negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have ended with no agreement, the Reuters news agency reports
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The Cairo meeting followed months of negotiations after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent intense military campaign by Israel. One major sticking point in the talks, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, involves an Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5-km stretch along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.
Mediators proposed several alternatives to Israeli forces’ presence on the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor, which runs through the middle of the Gaza Strip, but none were accepted. Israel also had issues with releasing several Palestinian detainees and insisted they leave Gaza if released.
Teams from Israel, the United States, and Egypt have worked to bridge differences, with Qatar and Egypt guiding Hamas through the proposal on Saturday. On Sunday, Israel joined the talks and raised concerns about the current proposal.
Hamas accused Israel of backtracking on a pledge to withdraw troops from the Philadelphi Corridor and introducing new conditions, including assessments of displaced Palestinians returning to the north when the ceasefire starts. “We will not accept discussions about retractions from what we agreed to on July 2 or new conditions,” said Hamas official Osama Hamdan to Al-Aqsa TV on Sunday.
In July, Hamas had agreed to a U.S. proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers, 16 days after the first phase of an agreement to end the Gaza conflict.
The Hamas delegation left Cairo on Sunday, repeating its demand that any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, stated senior official Izzat El-Reshiq.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AOL news article reports that Hamas rejects Israeli conditions, emphasizing the group’s stance on Palestinian sovereignty and the need for a comprehensive cease-fire agreement, with Hamas rejecting any temporary truce proposals. (read more)
- Reuters reports that Hamas rejects new Israeli conditions for Gaza ceasefire talks, emphasizing the demands for continued control over the Rafah Crossing and Philadelphi Corridor. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Israeli and Hamas delegations reach an agreement in the recent Gaza ceasefire talks?
No, they failed to reach an agreement.
How did a senior U.S. official describe the Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo?
The talks were described as ‘constructive.’
What is one of the key points of contention in the Gaza ceasefire talks?
The Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.
Did mediators propose alternatives to the presence of Israeli forces in Gaza?
Yes, but none were accepted by either party.
What did Hamas demand in the ceasefire agreement?
A permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
