A senior source within the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) told Al Jazeera that the movement discussed its position on the ceasefire agreement with mediators in Cairo and is awaiting Israel’s response.
This came following the arrival of a delegation from the movement to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Thursday, where they met with several Egyptian officials to “continue discussions related to the ceasefire,” as announced by Hamas.
On the other hand, Israeli media quoted an Israeli official as saying that Tel Aviv expressed readiness to negotiate based on the Paris meetings proposal. Israel reportedly handed its response to Hamas to Qatar and Egypt, rejecting a large part of the movement’s demands.
Israel refuses to commit to ending the war after the ceasefire deal is implemented, according to the official. Israel rejected withdrawing the army from the corridor dividing the Gaza Strip early in the first stage and informed the mediators that it would not agree to the return of residents to the northern Gaza Strip.
Tel Aviv expressed readiness to consider withdrawing the army from city centers in the Gaza Strip, but clarified to mediators that it is not willing to discuss lifting the blockade on the region.
However, the Israeli official confirmed that Israel is working with Egypt and Qatar to narrow the gap for serious negotiations to take place.
Ceasing aggression on the Gaza Strip is one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations, as resistance factions refuse to discuss any proposals until the aggression stops, the Israeli army withdraws from the sector, and the blockade is lifted.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that U.S. President Joe Biden will send CIA Director William Burns to Egypt to hold meetings with officials in Cairo in a latest attempt to reach an agreement on those detained in Gaza.
The White House spokesperson stated that President Biden and his team are seeking a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the release of hostages and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
On January 28th, a meeting was held in Paris with the participation of Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to discuss a prisoner exchange deal and cease the war in Gaza through three stages, according to Palestinian and American sources.
Axios mentioned that Israel is ready to negotiate based on the original proposal formulated in Paris two weeks ago. Israel reportedly sent messages to mediators (Qatar, the United States, and Egypt) rejecting most of Hamas’s responses along the broad lines. William Burns is expected to travel to Egypt next Tuesday.
