A Hamas delegation has arrived in Egypt for further talks on a possible ceasefire and hostage deal, as reported by a member of the group's political bureau. Egyptian state-affiliated Al-Qahera News also confirmed the arrival of the Hamas delegation, with a senior Egyptian official noting 'noticeable progress' in the discussions. The official mentioned that Egyptian mediators are working towards a 'consensus formula on many points of disagreement.'
Other mediators involved in the negotiations have also been contacted for updates on the ongoing talks. Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, expressed their commitment to finalizing the agreement to address the demands of their people. They mentioned sending a delegation to Cairo with a 'positive spirit' for further discussions.
However, an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations indicated that Israel has not received any indication of Hamas altering its 'extreme' positions. This suggests that there may still be significant hurdles to overcome in reaching a potential agreement.
Notably, CIA Director Bill Burns is also present in Cairo, playing a crucial role as a key interlocutor for the United States in the multiparty talks involving Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar. His involvement underscores the importance of international mediation in facilitating dialogue and potential resolutions to the conflict.
