Gaza ceasefire talks in Israel progress amid fresh assaults
Negotiations between an Egyptian delegation sent to Israel on Friday and Israeli officials in an effort to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas have reportedly been “very good.”
Egypt’s delegation, led by senior intelligence official Abbas Kamel, arrived in Israel on Friday to broker a ceasefire agreement with Hamas for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza.
According to reports , the talks were very good, focused, held in good spirits, and progressed in all parameters.
A senior Israeli official, however, emphasized Israel’s intentions to proceed in Rafah, despite its claim to be open to making compromises, including allowing the evacuation of Gazan civilians in northern Gaza and withdrawing troops from a crucial corridor dividing the territory.
Israel also issued a warning against Palestinian foot-dragging on the hostage deal to delay the military operation.
Meanwhile, Hamas noted on Saturday that it is still studying the latest Israeli counter proposal on a potential ceasefire in Gaza, a day after a delegation from Egypt arrived in Israel in a bid to revive stalled negotiations.
In a related development, the World Economic Forum special meeting that will include a Gaza-focused session is scheduled to be held in Riyadh on Monday.
The session will feature key figures such as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Sigrid Kaag, the United Nations aid coordinator for the Gaza Strip.
