Shocker
‘No progress made on a potential ceasefire deal’
Israeli media outlets are reporting that even before the Israeli delegation went to Cairo, the deal that had been presented to Netanyahu that was made by his own security establishment was rejected by him, and that he nearly sent them to listen and not respond to whatever Hamas put on the table.
It is very interesting because the Israelis had severe red lines before going into these negotiations. The Israeli prime minister reiterated for weeks that there will not be the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and there will not be an end to the war. In fact, Hamas wants to see an end to the war, a multi-phase deal that would see an end to the assault on Gaza.
These negotiations were not fruitful at all and it comes on the heels of an expected invasion into Rafah. There are disagreements within the Israeli government. Those who do want to see a deal to bring back the captives and those who are saying Netanyahu should not have sent a delegation to Cairo.
Oh and see how CNN reports it
Hostage talks in Cairo were productive and serious, US official says
Hostage talks held Tuesday in Cairo were productive and serious, but did not yet arrive at a breakthrough that would result in a final deal, a US official said. The negotiations will continue, the official added. A second US official said the outstanding area of disagreement among the parties in the hostage talks is the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to hostages that would be released as part of the deal.
CNN previously reported that Hamas' counterproposal included a call to release “all prisoners in Israeli prisons, including women, children, the elderly (over 50 years old), and the sick, who were arrested up until the date of signing this agreement.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has balked at the demand, which would be greater than the 3-to-1 ratio of Palestinian prisoners to hostages that was included in the deal in November 2023.
An Israeli official has told CNN that the Israeli delegation is on its way back from Cairo.
