Militant Group Hamas Delegation in Cairo for Cease-Fire Talks
Amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, a delegation from the militant group Hamas was in Cairo on Saturday for talks. However, an Israeli official expressed skepticism about the possibility of a full end to the war.
According to a senior Hamas source close to the Cairo talks, Saturday's negotiations concluded without any significant progress. The source mentioned that a new round of talks is set to commence tomorrow.
Israel, on the other hand, stated that it would not participate in the talks until Hamas responds to its latest proposal. An adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that "the end of the war will only come with the end of Hamas in Gaza."
CIA Director William Burns Joins Talks in Cairo
Adding to the developments, CIA Director William Burns traveled to Cairo, Egypt, on Friday to participate in the discussions, as confirmed by two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the matter. This visit follows a series of technical talks and a new proposal from Israel, described by U.S. officials as "generous."
As the crisis in Gaza worsens, pressure mounts to secure a deal to prevent Israel from launching an offensive into Rafah, the southernmost city in the territory.
The urgency to end the nearly seven-month-long war is evident. Over a million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, after fleeing the famine-stricken northern Gaza Strip.
Reports from Egyptian state Al-Qahera news suggest that progress has been made on several contentious issues, although specific details were not provided. Hamas is demanding a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently made his seventh visit to Israel in an effort to broker peace, following the outbreak of violence triggered by a terrorist attack by Hamas militants on October 7.
Efforts for Cease-Fire Intensify in Gaza Conflict
Upon his arrival, Blinken emphasized the Biden administration's determination to broker a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel in the ongoing conflict. The violence in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory has claimed the lives of over 34,000 individuals, with a majority being women and children. In a bid for increased American support, Israelis gathered outside Blinken's Tel Aviv hotel, expressing optimism that U.S. intervention could secure the release of the remaining 133 hostages, including five U.S. citizens, believed to be held in Gaza.
Simultaneously, the White House has called on Netanyahu's government to limit its military operations in Rafah. The head of the United Nations has also reiterated concerns, warning that an escalation of military action in the city could result in additional civilian casualties and mass displacement.
The conflict, which began on Oct. 7 with Hamas' attack on southern Israel, has led to the abduction of approximately 250 individuals and the deaths of around 1,200, predominantly civilians.
Despite ongoing negotiations, a senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously, downplayed the likelihood of a complete cessation of hostilities. The official affirmed Israel's commitment to the military campaign in Rafah, stating that the country will not entertain the idea of ending the conflict as part of a hostage release agreement.
A recent Israeli strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in the deaths of three individuals, as reported by hospital officials.
Over the past 24 hours, local hospitals in Gaza have received the bodies of 32 individuals killed in Israeli airstrikes. While the Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its casualty counts, it notes that a significant portion of those killed are women and children.
The Israeli military claims to have eliminated 13,000 militants, but has not provided any evidence to support this assertion. Additionally, the military has carried out mass arrests during its incursions into Gaza.
Gaza's Health Ministry has called on the International Criminal Court to investigate the death of a Gaza surgeon while in Israeli custody. Adnan al-Borsh, a 50-year-old surgeon working at al-Awda Hospital, was detained by Israeli forces during a raid in December, as reported by the Palestinian Prisoner's Club.
In other news, Israeli officials have briefed the Biden administration on plans to evacuate civilians ahead of an operation in Rafah, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The United Nations has issued a warning that if Israel proceeds with its advance into the densely populated city, hundreds of thousands of people could be "at imminent risk of death." Rafah is a critical entry point for humanitarian aid, further escalating concerns.
Cindy McCain, the U.S. director of the U.N. World Food Program, stated on Friday that civilians in the isolated northern region of Gaza are facing severe famine. McCain emphasized the urgent need for a cease-fire and a significant increase in aid delivery through both land and sea routes.
In a recent development, Israel unveiled new passageways for humanitarian assistance to enter northern Gaza. However, the initial convoy was obstructed by Israeli settlers on Wednesday before it could reach the besieged region. Subsequently, upon entering Gaza, the convoy was taken over by Hamas militants, only to be later recovered by U.N. officials.
