Progress Reported in Gaza Truce Talks in Cairo

By Yoni Weiss

According to Egypt’s state-affiliated news channel, Al-Qahera News, talks aiming to establish a truce in Gaza are advancing in Cairo, with all parties agreeing on fundamental points. The news emerged early on Monday, as per a senior Egyptian source.

Israel expressed cautious optimism regarding the ongoing mediated negotiations. Both Israel and Hamas dispatched delegations to Egypt on Sunday, following the arrival of CIA Director William Burns on Saturday. Burns’s involvement followed pressure from the United States to broker a deal that would secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.

As of Monday, there had been no immediate comment from Hamas. Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz described the Cairo talks as the closest the parties have come to a deal since a truce in November, during which Hamas released numerous hostages.

Katz stated, “We have reached a critical point in the negotiations. If it works out, then a large number of hostages will come home,” speaking to Army Radio. Currently, 129 hostages remain in Gaza, with negotiators discussing the potential release of around 40 individuals in the initial phase of a prospective deal with Hamas.

According to Al-Qahera, both the Hamas and Qatar delegations have temporarily left Cairo and are expected to return within two days to finalize the terms of a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, the Israeli and U.S. delegations are anticipated to depart within a few hours. Consultations will persist over the next 48 hours.

Hamas seeks to leverage any agreement to secure an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the return of displaced Gazans. However, Israel has dismissed the first two demands, asserting that it aims to eventually dismantle Hamas.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday that Israel would not yield to “extreme” Hamas demands despite mounting international pressure. Nevertheless, Israeli officials have hinted at a willingness to permit some displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza to return.

While expressing a more optimistic outlook regarding a diplomatic breakthrough, Katz emphasized that Israel remains prepared to continue the conflict. Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered in Yerushalayim on Sunday, demanding increased government efforts to secure the release of hostages.

Western nations have condemned what they perceive as an unacceptably high civilian death toll among Palestinians and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stemming from Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas.