Demonstrators in Tel Aviv demand that Netanyahu's government work to return the prisoners (Reuters - Archive)

The Israeli delegation left the Egyptian capital, Cairo, after participating in talks on the truce in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners, on Tuesday, according to what was reported by the Israeli media, which reported major disagreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of the security services.

Israeli Channel 12 said that the delegation led by Mossad Foreign Intelligence Director David Barnea was leaving Cairo "with no indication of progress."

At the same time, Channel 13 quoted an Israeli official as saying that their delegation’s participation in the Cairo talks was a “courtesy,” in response to the request of US President Joe Biden.

The same channel also reported that major disagreements preceded the Israeli delegation’s departure to the Egyptian capital, due to the head of the Mossad and the person in charge of the detainees’ file, General Reserve Nitzan Alon, putting forward the idea of ​​submitting new proposals, which Netanyahu, his Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff opposed, according to the channel.

The official Israeli television channel, Kan, also reported that Netanyahu rejected a proposal to exchange prisoners with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), prepared by the leaders of the Mossad and Shin Bet.

In this regard as well, Israeli Radio said that Netanyahu sent his personal secretary with the Israeli delegation to Cairo “to ensure that the head of the Mossad adheres to his mandate.”

The American position

Meanwhile, the Axios news website quoted officials as saying that US President Joe Biden believes that Israel should show more flexibility in the prisoner exchange issue.

According to the same sources, Biden informed Netanyahu that Israel may have to release more prisoners for every Israeli detainee, while the Israeli Prime Minister says that he is ready to release 3 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli, as happened in the previous deal.

The sources told Axios that Biden agrees with Netanyahu that Hamas's request to release thousands of prisoners is "exaggerated."

Biden had held talks with Netanyahu by phone the day before yesterday, Sunday, which lasted about 45 minutes.

Agreement 'still possible'

For its part, the US State Department said today that it believes that a prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas is still possible.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated that Washington is doing everything in its power to "return all kidnapped Israelis to their families."

He added that the US administration is working with Egypt and Qatar on a proposal that would lead to the release of the remaining detainees in the Gaza Strip.

A meeting was held in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss the truce in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of prisoners, with the participation of CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, and Egyptian officials.

Cairo News Channel quoted a high-ranking Egyptian source as saying that the atmosphere of the Cairo meeting was “positive,” indicating that consultations would continue over the next three days.

While the United States talks about efforts to reach a truce for at least 6 weeks between Hamas and Israel, sources indicate that there is disagreement regarding the duration and nature of the potential truce, despite reports of progress in mediation efforts.

The Qatari-Egyptian mediation led to a truce between Hamas and Israel for a week in late November, during which prisoners were exchanged and limited aid was brought into Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies + Israeli press