Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Commence in Cairo

Negotiations have begun in Cairo to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas demanding a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as a condition for halting hostilities and releasing Israeli captives.

As reported by Arab media, a Hamas delegation has arrived in the Egyptian capital to participate in talks centered on ceasefire terms, specifically the release of Israeli prisoners in exchange for Israel’s full military exit from Gaza.

Earlier, efforts to revive the ceasefire negotiations saw an Egyptian security delegation meeting with Hamas leader Osama Hamdan. Hamdan reaffirmed to Lebanese media that Hamas’s position remains unchanged, emphasizing that Israeli hostages would only be released if Israel ceases its aggression and pulls out all its troops from Gaza.

In a related development, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with the Lebanese Prime Minister today to discuss the current conflict situation.

A recent meeting in Doha between Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Secretary Blinken concluded with both officials expressing optimism that mediation efforts would soon revive the stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that an Israeli delegation will participate in the talks, led by Mossad chief David Barnea. The Israeli team is also expected to meet with CIA Director William Burns and the Qatari Prime Minister in Doha.