Gaza / Israel blows up the cease-fire talks in Cairo

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, which had been presented as a potentially final hurdle before an agreement to stop fighting for six weeks. But until early evening the Israelis were absent.

“There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo,” unnamed Israeli officials said, according to the Ynet website of the Israeli Yediot Achronot newspaper. “Hamas refuses to give clear answers and therefore there is no reason to send the Israeli delegation.”

Washington insisted that a ceasefire agreement is close and it should be concluded in time for fighting to cease by the start of Ramadan in a week’s time. Nevertheless the warring sides show no sign, at least publicly, of backing down from their previous demands.

After the arrival of the Hamas delegation, a Palestinian official told Reuters that “there is still no” agreement. There was no official comment from the Israeli side.

A source briefed on the talks said yesterday, Saturday (02/03), that the Israelis may not go to Cairo unless Hamas first presents the full list of hostages still alive. A Palestinian source told Reuters that Hamas has so far rejected the request.

In previous negotiations Hamas has sought to avoid discussing the status of individual hostages until the terms of their release have been determined.

A senior Hamas official told AFP earlier today that a truce in the Gaza Strip could be possible “in the next 24 to 48 hours” if Israel accepts the Palestinian movement’s demands.

“If Israel accepts Hamas’s demands, which include the return to the northern Gaza Strip of displaced Palestinians and an increase in humanitarian aid, the way could be paved for a deal within the next 24 or 48 hours,” the official said. who wished to remain anonymous.