Part of a previous prisoner exchange process between Hamas and Israel (Anadolu Agency)
A leading source in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) denied to Al Jazeera that any progress had been made in the negotiations hosted by Cairo in order to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and said that the Israeli delegation did not respond to any of the movement’s demands.
The source added that the Hamas delegation left today to consult with the movement’s leadership.
The Egyptian Cairo News Channel quoted a high-ranking Egyptian source early on Monday, saying that “there is progress in the discussions and agreement on the basic axes between all parties,” and he said that “the round of negotiations in Cairo is witnessing great progress in bringing viewpoints closer together.”
The Egyptian channel indicated that the delegations of Hamas and Qatar left Cairo and will return within two days to complete the terms of the final agreement, while the Israeli and American delegations will leave the Egyptian capital within a few hours. She added that consultations will continue during the next 48 hours.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation had confirmed that all parties were showing greater flexibility in the negotiations than before, and said that Hamas wanted to reach an agreement.
The commission explained that the United States is putting pressure on all parties, including Israel, and quoted an American official as saying that reaching a deal is closer than ever before.
American proposal
For its part, Israeli Channel 12 quoted sources as saying that it expects Washington to put forward a proposal to resolve the main knot in the negotiations related to the return of the displaced to northern Gaza.
The sources indicated that Washington's proposal may include the return of residents of entire neighborhoods to northern Gaza, and these sources expected Israeli flexibility in dealing with this issue.
In turn, Haaretz newspaper quoted an Israeli source as saying that the serious involvement of the United States and the pressure it is exerting could affect the stalemate that the negotiations have reached.
The source added that the United States is expected to submit a new proposal regarding a “hostage” deal that requires major concessions from Israel and Hamas.
For its part, the Hamas movement affirmed in a statement yesterday, Sunday, “its adherence to its natural national demands, and its keenness to reach an agreement that achieves a complete cessation of the aggression.”
An informed source told Al Jazeera Net that the Hamas movement is still adhering to its position that it presented to the mediators on the 14th of last month, which is based on “a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced to their places of residence, freedom of movement of people, relief and shelter, and a deal.” Serious prisoner exchange.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies