No agreement in Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s wish for a ceasefire deal may fall short of the finishing line as discussions to end the 10-month-long conflict between Hamas and Israel appear to have ended in no agreement, according to two Egyptian security sources, reported by Reuters and agencies on August 25th.
Both parties disagreed on several compromises presented by mediators. In contrast, a senior U.S. official stated that talks were conducted in a “constructive” spirit, with all sides trying to reach “a final and implementable agreement”.
“The process will continue over the coming days through working groups to further address remaining issues and details,” said the anonymous official, adding that diplomatic teams would remain in Cairo.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated at a news conference in Halifax, Canada, that Washington was still “feverishly” trying to reach a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal in Cairo.
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Major roadblocks in the ongoing talks mediated by U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators included the stationing of Israeli troops in the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5-km-long Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.
Mediators offered other alternatives to the presence of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridor, which spans across the middle of the Gaza Strip; however, all options were rejected by the parties, said the Egyptian resources.
Israel also opposed the release of several Palestinian detainees demanded by Hamas, adding that if they were freed, they would have to exit Gaza immediately.
Hamas accused Israel of backtracking on crucial commitments, such as withdrawing troops from the Corridor whilst putting forward new conditions, such as the screening of displaced Palestinians returning to the more heavily populated northern area of the coastal enclave.
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“We will not accept discussions about retractions from what we agreed to on July 2nd or new conditions,” stated Hamas official Osama Hamdan on August 25th.
In July, the Palestinian militant group accepted a U.S. proposal to start talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers, 16 days after the first phase of ceasefire talks, according to a senior Hamas source.
On August 25th, a Hamas delegation left Cairo after talking with mediators. Izzat El-Reshiq, a Hamas senior official, reiterated the group’s stipulation that the agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Multiple attempts by international mediators to end Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza have failed and have left 40,405 dead, along with over 90,000 people injured.
Reuters and agencies
