Hamas officials to meet mediators in Cairo
A Hamas delegation is scheduled to meet officials from Qatar and Egypt in Cairo today to discuss the continuation of a fragile Gaza ceasefire, AFP news agency is reporting, citing a source close to negotiations.
Israel carried out multiple deadly attacks across Gaza yesterday after claiming its soldiers were targeted by Hamas fighters. The Palestinian group denied any knowledge of an attack.
The delegation, headed by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, would discuss “the dozens of air strikes that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip” on Sunday. It will also meet Egyptian officials to discuss an upcoming intra-Palestinian dialogue hosted by Egypt and aiming “to unify the Palestinian factions”.
US delegation aims for full implementation of ceasefire agreement
The White House insists that the VP’s visit was already scheduled and has nothing to do with the recent tensions and the concerns about the ceasefire.
What the White House is saying is that JD Vance will lead this delegation, which ultimately will include Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and that this is to push for the full implementation of the agreement to end the war.
There hasn’t been a whole lot of criticism of Israel, whether it is the White House or the US media. There seems to be a selective starting point where the blame for any violations of the ceasefire in recent days has been squarely put on Hamas.
Israeli PM refutes allegations he could have had Gaza truce a year ago
Speaking to Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu rejected accusations that he avoided getting a ceasefire done a year ago with Hamas and returning the captives from Gaza.
“Let me be very clear: some claim this ceasefire was on the table a year ago. This is not correct at all. Such a deal was never on the table. Hamas was never ready to accept a ceasefire and return the hostages in one go,” said Netanyahu.
“And the majority of the Gaza Strip now witnesses our presence, and this has been accepted by some Muslim and Arab countries. The majority of the Muslim world wants Hamas to give up its weapons.”
Netanyahu later told parliament that US Vice President JD Vance will arrive on Tuesday for discussions on “two things … the security challenges we face and the diplomatic opportunities before us”.
“We will overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities,” he said.
April 3rd 2025: https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-ready-to-free-all-hostages-at-once-for-end-to-war-palestinian-official/
April 17th 2025: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-is-ready-release-all-remaining-hostages-return-an-end-gaza-war-hamas-gaza-2025-04-17/
February 19th 2025: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/hamas-hostages-israel-gaza-ceasefire-agreement-second-phase
February 19th 2025: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250219-hamas-says-ready-free-all-hostages-at-once-phase-two-gaza-truce-israel
February 8th 2024: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-08/hamas-proposes-three-stage-ceasefire-over-135-days/103439392
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a Hamas ceasefire deal that would ensure the return of hostages still held in Gaza. Hamas had proposed a Gaza ceasefire of four-and-a-half months, during which all hostages would go free, Israel would withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip and an agreement would be reached on an end to the war.
Januari 22nd 2024: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/22/israel-gaza-war-hamas-hostages-release-benjamin-netanyahu-rejects-deal
The prospect of a deal to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas appeared to recede on Sunday after a Hamas official said Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of their conditions meant there was “no chance” of their return.
So yes, could have had Gaza truce with all captives returned home in Januari 2024.
