Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas gain momentum in Cairo

After months of deadlock over a possible truce in the Gaza Strip, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are finally showing signs of progress. An Egyptian source reported on Monday that significant headway has been made in negotiations.

Representatives of both Israel and Hamas convened in Egypt on Sunday for fresh talks, following the arrival of US CIA Director, William Burns, deployed by the US President, Joe Biden, on Saturday.

According to the source, the talks in Cairo have yielded significant progress on several contentious points of agreement.

It noted that previous rounds of negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have failed to produce a workable agreement, but the recent developments seemed to be aiming towards a resolution.

It added that Qatari and Palestinian delegations had temporarily left Cairo but were expected to return within two days to finalize the terms of the agreement, while US and Israeli delegations are to leave Cairo in the coming hours, with further consultations anticipated over the next 48 hours.

The conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, has drawn international condemnation, particularly following an Israeli drone strike on April 1 that killed seven aid workers, including Westerners, associated with the US-based food charity World Central Kitchen.

However, as talks progress, Israel has been making military preparations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, with plans for future operations.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, noted that Israel pulled its forces out of the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday to prepare for future missions, including in Rafah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his part expressed optimism, stating that Israel is “one step away from victory.”