Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks
A statement from the Palestinian group says that its negotiations, led by Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo a short while ago from Doha.
The Hamas delegation travelled to Cairo in order to “follow up on efforts with the mediator brothers in Egypt and Qatar, to complete the agreement to stop the aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip”, according to the statement.
Hamas negotiators left Cairo late last week, saying that the current round of talks was over, before surprising the world yesterday by saying the group accepts a ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt.
‘Stand firm’: Israel PM says delegation in Egypt for Gaza talks
Israeli negotiators have arrived in Cairo for talks on a truce in Gaza and release of abuctees, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in a statement shared by his office.
He said he instructed the Israeli delegation to “stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release” of Israeli captives held in Gaza and on “essential requirements for guaranteeing Israel’s security”.
‘Ball is in Netanyahu’s court’: Hamas spokesperson
Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan has said that the mediators’ proposal is being put in jeopardy by Netanyahu.
“Hamas movement’s agreement on the proposal by the mediators have placed Netanyahu in a hard place and caused him to act in a hysteric fashion with statements that reveal a poltiical defeat and a stretagic loss,” Hamdan said at a news briefing in Beirut.
“The ball now is in Netanyahu’s court. Their behaviour and attitude after we announced our agreement reflects the determination by this criminal to spoil all attempts of mediation including those of the US and expresses carelessness for the lives of the captives who are threatened every day through the bombardments of the Israeli military.
“The ball is also in the court of the US administration … to prove and establish their sincerity by pressuring Netanyahu’s government.”
Targeting Rafah crossing hinders any negotiation process: Hamas
Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan says Israel’s attack on the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is an attempt by Netanyahu to hinder agreement on and implementation of a ceasefire.
“The occupation forces attacking Rafah crossing is a crime and a serious and dangerous escalation against a civilian facility that is under the protection of international law,” Hamdan said at a news briefing in Beirut.
“Invading and attacking the Rafah crossing by [Israeli forces] with predetermination by Netanyahu is an attempt to hinder the implementation of the agreement to stop the attack on our people. It’s a desperate attempt to create a pseudo-victory that can save some face for Netanyahu. This will never be achieved.”
Unbelievable, United states of Israel in action. Biden is Netanyahu's bitch through and through.
Biden administration denies that Hamas accepted ceasefire proposal
The Biden administration has denied in a news briefing that Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal yesterday.
“[State Department spokesperson] Matthew Miller said that Hamas did not accept the ceasefire proposals, it responded and in their response made several suggestions. This is very different interpretation of what Hamas itself thinks that it did, and is certainly the kind of comment that could have an impact on what is happening in Cairo at present,” Al Jazeera correspondent Mike Hanna reported from the State Department in Washington, DC.
End of the war means ‘accountability’ for Netanyahu
Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor of Middle East studies and digital humanities at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, says there appears to be a “blame game” being played between Israel and Hamas regarding the ceasefire talks.
He said it is clear Netanyahu is not interested in a ceasefire, as has been the case since the start of the war. An end to the conflict would mean “accountability, not just domestically for his various criminal accusations, but now potentially by the International Criminal Court”, Jones said.
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