Hamas rejects Israel's 'new conditions,' exits Cairo ceasefire talks
Hamas has refused to accept new Israeli conditions presented during Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, Egypt. This raises doubts about the prospects of a breakthrough in the latest United States-supported attempt to end the ongoing 10-month conflict. A Hamas delegation left Cairo on Sunday after meeting with mediators and receiving updates on the latest negotiation efforts.
Hamas demands adherence to July 2 agreement
The talks concluded without an agreement, as neither Hamas nor Israel accepted the compromises suggested by mediators. Key points of contention include Israel's presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14.5 km stretch along Gaza's southern border with Egypt. In Cairo, the Hamas delegation insisted that Israel adhere to the July 2 agreement, as outlined by US President Joe Biden and supported by a United Nations Security Council resolution.
Hamas blames Israel for stalled peace talks
Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said any agreement must include "a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the freedom of return of residents to their areas, relief and reconstruction." Hamas has accused Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for the stalled peace talks. The group alleges that Netanyahu has introduced "new demands" and is not committed to a ceasefire.
War in Gaza to continue: Netanyahu
In contrast, Netanyahu has said the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas is entirely defeated, irrespective of any potential deals. His stance has been met with skepticism from top Israeli officials, including his defense minister, and the families of those held captive by Hamas. The conflict, which began on October 7 after Hamas killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and took about 240 hostages, has led to a multi-pronged Israeli military operation in Gaza, resulting in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths.
