Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 5th March. Israel Defence Ministry on Monday announced that it has decided not to send a delegation to Cairo to discuss a ceasefire and the release of hostages from Gaza
The decision emerged from Hamas’ failure to respond to two key Israeli demands providing a detailed list of hostages, specifying those who are alive and those who are deceased, and confirming the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for the hostages.
The Israeli official revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in coordination with Mossad director David Barnea made the decision after receiving information that Hamas had not addressed these conditions.
Netanyahu outlined terms in a speech last Thursday, where he emphasized the need for clarity on the identities of the hostages before progressing with any agreements, according to the news reports.
Sr. official from Biden Administration in a statement indicated that Israel had “basically accepted” a proposed six-week ceasefire, the lack of response from Hamas has led to the cancellation of Israel’s participation in the Cairo talks.
Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Sunday, expressed hope that the discussions would lead to a cessation of hostilities, news media stated.
The high-ranking Hamas official has yet responded to media request whether the group has addressed Israel’s conditions.
According to a Hamas source, the key points in the negotiations include establishing a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops referred to as “occupation forces” from the Gaza Strip, and facilitating the return of displaced individuals from the south to the north, media reported.
A diplomatic source downplayed the prospects of an immediate breakthrough despite optimism, cited slow progress and suggested that a deal might not materialize within the next 48 hours, news media reported.
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