Amid ongoing disagreements over a ceasefire deal in Gaza, reports indicate that the Israeli government has opted not to send a delegation for further discussions. A senior Israeli official revealed that the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are exerting pressure on Hamas to accept President Biden's proposal without alterations. However, Hamas has countered with numerous demands that significantly deviate from the original Israeli and U.S. outlines.
The demands put forth by Hamas are described as substantial and are seen as hindering progress towards a potential agreement. The current focus is on persuading Hamas to align with the initial proposal set forth by President Biden. Until this alignment is achieved, Israel has decided against dispatching a delegation to Cairo or Doha for additional talks.
Efforts to reach the Israeli Prime Minister's Office for confirmation were unsuccessful as officials declined to provide any information on the matter. Previous ceasefire discussions have seen Israeli delegations participating in talks held in Cairo and Doha, Qatar. An Egyptian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that negotiations have hit a standstill due to the significant disparities between the positions of Israel and Hamas.
On a related note, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns over Hamas' proposed changes, noting that they surpass previous stances taken by the group. Blinken questioned the sincerity of Hamas' negotiation efforts, raising doubts about their commitment to reaching a resolution in good faith.
