05/05/2024May 5, 2024
Truce talks end without breakthrough, Hamas delegation returns to Qatar
The latest negotiations on a proposed hostage deal and a cease-fire in have ended without an immediate breakthrough, according to reports.
The said Sunday the latest round of talks in Cairo had finished after “in-depth and serious discussions.”
Egyptian state media reported that the Hamas delegation would return to the Egyptian capital for talks on Tuesday.
The report said Hamas representatives would travel late Sunday to Doha, where Hamas has a political office, to consult with their chiefs. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by many countries including Germany, Israel and the US.
Israel, which did not send delegates to the talks, earlier said it would only send its representatives when there was a “positive moment” to do so.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would be willing to agree to a pause in fighting to allow hostages to be released.
“But while Israel has shown willingness, Hamas remains entrenched in its extreme positions, first among them the demandto remove all our forces from the Gaza Strip, end the war, and leave Hamas in power,” said. “Israel cannot accept that.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant added: “We see signs that Hamas does not intend to go to any agreement.”
Meanwhile, CIA Director Bill Burns is expected in Doha for emergency discussions on the truce effort with Qatar’s prime minister, according to an official cited by news agencies on Sunday.
Burns has acted as a key interlocutor for the US in talks between Israel, Hamas, Egypt and Qatar over securing a deal.
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