The head of Hamas’s political bureau arrived in Cairo for talks on the Gaza war, as hopes grow that the Palestinian group and Israel can agree on the terms of a new ceasefire .
Ismail Haniyeh arrived in the Egyptian capital on Wednesday to meet with the head of Cairo’s secret service and other Egyptian officials, who are serving as key mediators. Meanwhile, Israeli officials indicated in discussions with U.S. and Qatari officials that Tel Aviv could be open to a truce deal.
Haniyeh planned to discuss “stopping the aggression” in Gaza, a Hamas source told the AFP news agency. The world is pressuring Israel and the Palestinian group to accept conditions for an end to the bombing in Gaza, which after 10 weeks of devastating Israeli attacks has killed nearly 20,000 people, including 7,729 children, and left 1.9 million people displaced and in need of water and food. and medicine.
During a truce that lasted from November 24 to December 1, international agencies were able to deliver desperately needed aid. Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas returned 100 Israelis and other prisoners during its Oct. 7 attacks, which killed about 1,200 people and triggered violent Israeli retaliation against the enclave.
Hamas took a total of 240 Israeli prisoners in an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7 that also killed 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, Israel said, kicking off of the current war.
Since then, Israel has continued to shell Gaza, saying it must eliminate Hamas. But the two sides recently restarted indirect talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at establishing a new ceasefire and freeing more prisoners in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The talks in Cairo will also include a possible “agreement for the release of (Palestinian) prisoners,” the source said.
“Positive” indications
Haniyeh’s visit comes after the Israeli government indicated it may be willing to enter into another truce. Pressure is mounting for Hamas to repatriate the 129 prisoners it still holds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the captives’ families on Tuesday, said intensive diplomatic efforts were underway to bring back their loved ones. That included a meeting Monday in Warsaw between Israel’s intelligence chief, Qatar’s prime minister and the head of the U.S. CIA, during which officials outlined possible ceasefire conditions.
The meeting was “pretty positive,” Tel Aviv Tribune’s Hashem Ahelbarra said, reporting from Doha. He added that Qatari negotiators, who were the lead negotiators of the previous temporary ceasefire, are now “in contact with Hamas and the Israelis about the possibility of resuming negotiations.”
Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv is pursuing a “humanitarian” deal to secure the release by Hamas of women and elderly captives, as well as all those suffering from physical or mental illnesses. The government reportedly estimates that such a group would number between 30 and 40 captives.
“Different interpretations”
However, the demands of Israel and Hamas reveal that there remain major sticking points to any new agreement.
Hardliners within the Israeli government and military officials are looking ahead to more months of fighting. Netanyahu, who is under significant political pressure at home, has pledged to continue the Israeli military offensive until he achieves “total victory” over Hamas.
Hamas, for its part, said it would not release any more prisoners until Israeli bombings cease.
Haniyeh, speaking to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Tuesday evening, appeared to remain firm on that stance, saying the group was ready for another deal, but only if Israel first stopped its attacks.
“The problem this time is the different interpretations on the part of Israel and Hamas,” Ahelbarra said. “Hamas insists this time that the agreement cannot be just an exchange of prisoners: it must be based on a permanent ceasefire. »
In an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said that once the war was over, Hamas would be willing to negotiate a meaningful compromise on the prisoner exchange.
“Our vision is very clear: we want to end the aggression,” he said. “What is happening underground is a great catastrophe. »
He added, however, that brief pauses in the conflict would not be in the interests of Hamas or the Palestinians.
“Israel will take the hostage card and after that it will unleash a new round of massacres against our people,” he said. “We will not play this game.”
However, Ahelbarra noted that there are “strong indications that all parties are working to reach an agreement” in the coming days.
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