Cairo anticipates a new round of negotiations on Sunday to reach an agreement enabling prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas and achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Mossad Chief, David Barnea, and the Head of the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency), Ronen Bar, are expected to head to the Egyptian capital to lead the Israeli delegation in the talks, as reported by Israeli media outlets.
Additionally, the meetings will include the participation of the CIA Director, William Burns, and the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Two Thousand Displaced People Daily
The return of thousands of displaced individuals to the north of the Gaza Strip remains the main outstanding point of contention between the parties, as previously mentioned by officials from the United States, Israel, and Egypt. The Israeli side has shown openness to allowing returns to the north at a rate of two thousand people per day, but mostly women and children, according to Arab mediators involved in the discussions, as reported by “The Wall Street Journal”.
Israel has also set a maximum limit for the return of 60,000 Palestinians, excluding men aged between 18 and 50 years.
In this context, Arab officials clarified that the return of displaced Gazans could begin ten days to two weeks after the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, which would last for six weeks if finally agreed upon.
However, “returnees must pass through Israeli military checkpoints to prevent Hamas fighters from infiltrating back into the north,” according to Israeli and Egyptian officials.
Hamas Refuses
Conversely, Hamas rejects these conditions and insists on the removal of checkpoints and maintaining the reunification of families returning to the north, refusing the exclusion of adult males.
Hamas stated on Saturday that a delegation led by Khalil al-Haya would head to Cairo in response to an Egyptian invitation to participate in the negotiations.
However, it reaffirmed its stance and demands for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the return of displaced individuals to their homes, and the freedom of movement and relief for Palestinians.
