Negotiations aimed at brokering a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a deadlock, according to a Hamas official, amid a series of discussions in Cairo that have yet to yield significant progress. These talks have seen the participation of delegates from Israel, Qatar, and the United States, following initial optimism expressed by Egyptian sources regarding advancements on the discussed agenda.
The discussions were intensified with the arrival of CIA Director William Burns in Egypt, signaling a heightened push by the United States to secure a deal. This deal is hoped to not only secure the release of hostages held in Gaza but also facilitate the delivery of aid to civilians caught in the crisis. Despite these efforts, a Hamas representative, preferring anonymity, informed Reuters, "The stance of the occupation remains unchanged, rendering the Cairo discussions stagnant. We've yet to see any advancement."
NEW: CIA Director Bill Burns presented in Cairo on Sunday a new proposal to advance a deal between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of 40 hostages held in Gaza in return for a six-week ceasefire. My story on @axios https://t.co/ytxAO03QRm
ā Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 8, 2024
Conversely, Mohammed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, shared a more hopeful outlook in a BBC interview. Al-Ansari conveyed a cautious optimism, suggesting that recent proposals have substantially bridged the gaps between the conflicting parties, potentially paving the way for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. "The involvement of the U.S. is crucial for the success of these negotiations," he noted, hinting at the possibility of entering the initial phase of a comprehensive ceasefire strategy soon.
Emerging reports outline a proposal for a six-week ceasefire, during which 40 hostages would be released. However, this proposition implies that Hamas would retain custody of the majority of the hostages it currently holds. Previous negotiations have seen Hamas reject similar terms, and their response to the current proposal remains pending.
Breaking now: āI got today a full report about the negotiation in Cairo; we are working to achieve our goals of releasing our hostages and have a complete win; this win must include entering Rafah. It will happen, and we have a date.ā pic.twitter.com/NXBEEasMvi
ā Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) April 8, 2024
Hamas is reported to hold over 130 Israelis, with allegations of more than 30 hostages having been killed. Under the proposed terms, Hamas's release of hostages would not exceed one-third of those currently held. Additionally, the proposal suggests increasing the number of displaced individuals allowed to return to the northern Gaza Strip from 2,000 to 6,000. However, a point of contention remains Israel's insistence on vetting returnees to prevent the re-entry of terrorist operatives, a condition Hamas rejects.
Recent reports from Israel's KAN news suggest a positive shift in the dialogue, with the Israeli mediation team awaiting a response from Hamas. Over the weekend, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described the Cairo discussions as the most promising attempt at reaching an agreement since the November truce, which saw the release of numerous hostages by Hamas. Katz highlighted the critical nature of the current negotiations to Israel's Army Radio, expressing hope for the return of a significant number of hostages.
