The negotiations for an agreement in the Gaza war are on the verge of failure. Negotiation teams from Israel and the USA are now in Egypt again.
An Israeli negotiating team is holding renewed talks in Cairo on an agreement in the Gaza war. The head of Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad, David Barnea, and the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, are currently negotiating an agreement in the Egyptian capital to release hostages held by Hamas, an Israeli government spokesman said. The release of Palestinian prisoners is also part of the agreement being sought.
In addition to the Israeli delegation, a delegation from the USA also arrived at Cairo airport for further talks on ending the Gaza war in Egypt, according to informed sources.
The Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” wrote, citing an Israeli representative, that the negotiating team was preparing for a possible summit on Sunday “if Hamas shows signs of movement.”
One of the biggest points of contention in the current negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war is Israel’s demand for permanent control of the southern border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt by Israeli security forces. Both Egypt and Hamas reject this. According to the Israeli army, several Hamas tunnels run under the corridor. Israel insists on control in order to prevent weapons smuggling.
Report: New proposals from Israel
The Wall Street Journal, citing Egyptian sources, reported on new Israeli proposals to control the so-called Philadelphia Corridor. Israeli negotiators have proposed building eight observation towers there. According to the report, the USA has counter-proposed two towers. Egypt rejects both proposals on the grounds that these towers would give the Israeli military permanent access to the area.
Egypt, Qatar and the USA are mediating in the indirect negotiations that have been going on for months for an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hamas and Israel are not negotiating directly with each other. The ceasefire agreement is also intended to include the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Source: Stern
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