Israel and Hamas are days away from reaching an agreement on a truce in Gaza, Egyptian sources have claimed.
Delegations from Hamas and Qatar have left Cairo, the site of fresh US-mediated peace talks with Israel, and will return within two days to settle the terms of a final agreement, Egypt’s Al-Qahera state-affiliated TV channel reported.
However, both Gaza and Israeli officials have poured cold water on reports of progress, with one unnamed Palestinian official complaining of “obstinance” by Israel and stating, “so far there is no progress”, Al-Mayadeen, the Hezbollah-affiliated news outlet, reported. Senior Israeli officials said “we still don’t see a deal on the horizon”, Israeli media reported.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, said on Sunday that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire without the release of hostages and would not give in to “extreme” demands. Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a return of displaced people.
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