Two Egyptian security sources stated on Sunday that the talks held in Cairo regarding Gaza ended without reaching an agreement, as both Hamas and Israel did not agree on many of the solutions proposed by mediators.
Meanwhile, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced during a press conference in Halifax, Canada, that the United States is still making “intense” efforts in Cairo to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to Reuters.
New Proposal
Sources from “Al Arabiya/Al Hadath” reported that the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip concluded on Sunday evening in Cairo, with the presence of U.S. and Israeli delegations. The sources also revealed that “Israel’s continued presence in Gaza after the war is one of the main points of contention in the negotiations.”
Additionally, the sources mentioned a new proposal, which involves Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route (Salah al-Din) along the border between Egypt and Gaza, immediately after completing the prisoner exchange deal. The Israeli negotiating delegation has returned to Tel Aviv from Cairo, according to Israeli media.
Hamas Delegation Departs
Hamas announced that its delegation left Cairo after meeting with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in the context of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Gaza.
Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, stated that the Hamas negotiating delegation departed Cairo on Sunday evening after meeting with the mediators from Egypt and Qatar and hearing from them about the results of the latest round of negotiations.
Al-Rishq also emphasized that “Hamas is ready to implement” U.S. President Joe Biden’s plan. He reiterated Hamas’ demands, which it considers essential for any ceasefire agreement, particularly the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The Hamas delegation had arrived in Cairo on Saturday to meet with the mediators only, without participating in the negotiations.
In Two Phases
Earlier on Sunday, sources told “Al Arabiya/Al Hadath” that Israel is only willing to withdraw from 3 kilometers of the Philadelphi Route. The sources clarified that Egypt insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route, but to prevent stalling the deal, Cairo is seeking a phased withdrawal.
The sources also indicated that Egypt will not compromise on a full withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route and the Rafah crossing. Moreover, Egypt informed the Israeli delegation on Sunday that it will only coordinate with the Palestinian side at the Rafah crossing.
Criticism and Accusations Against Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously announced that his forces would not withdraw from the Rafah crossing, the Salah al-Din corridor, or the Netzarim passage, which divides northern and southern Gaza. This stance has sparked criticism against him within Israel, with accusations that he is obstructing a deal to release dozens of Israelis still held captive in the Palestinian territory since October 7.
These statements also drew criticism from Cairo, which insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Route. Washington, along with Doha and Cairo, which are playing a mediating role in the negotiations, is pushing for an agreement between Israel and Hamas to contain the conflict and avoid a broader war in the region, particularly between Israel on one side and Iran and its armed factions on the other.
