Negotiators from the USA, Qatar, and Egypt are working to reach a truce in Gaza and have proposed a 40-day pause in fighting and the exchange of hostages Israelis with Palestinian prisoners. These efforts come after talks were “frozen” by Hamas, who demanded the complete withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Strip. A Hamas official accused Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of hindering the agreement for personal reasons.
Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States met with a Hamas delegation in Cairo, with plans for further talks to resume today. Each side blamed the other for stalled negotiations, with Hamas insisting on a complete end to the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Despite diplomatic attempts, an agreement has not been reached, and the threat of an Israeli attack on Rafah looms, where 1.2 million Palestinians reside.
A senior Israeli official stated that Hamas was hindering progress by refusing to compromise on ending the war. The prospect of a new truce, similar to one that allowed for the release of hostages last November, remains uncertain. A delegation from Israel will only be sent to Cairo if there are positive signals regarding the proposed framework.