Israel-Hamas talks near breakthrough, but with catch - Media
Photo: Peace in the Gaza Strip remains elusive for now (Getty Images)
Negotiations to end the war in the Gaza Strip are close to a breakthrough, but key disputes have yet to be resolved, according to Reuters and The Times of Israel.
On Monday, April 28, Israeli and Hamas delegations held negotiations in Cairo to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Two sources in Egypt’s security services told Reuters that the talks were on the verge of a "significant breakthrough." However, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported on platform X that an Israeli official denied a breakthrough had been achieved, providing no further details.
Egyptian sources said there was a consensus on a long-term ceasefire in the enclave, but several contentious issues remained, including Hamas' disarmament - a key Israeli demand that Hamas has repeatedly refused.
Meanwhile, several Israeli news agencies cited sources rejecting claims of a breakthrough in the ceasefire and hostage-release talks with Hamas.
The news outlet Walla cited an unnamed senior Israeli source who said no breakthrough occurred; the public broadcaster Kan echoed this claim, and Ynet reported Israeli sources saying no significant progress had been made, adding that Jerusalem would not agree to a years-long ceasefire involving Hamas' disarmament.
Earlier Monday, a senior Israeli official stated that Israel would not agree to the five-year ceasefire proposed by mediators.
Challenges in negotiations
Earlier, the Egyptian state TV channel Al-Qahera reported that Egypt’s intelligence chief, General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, would meet with the Israeli delegation led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Cairo on April 28.
Sources confirmed that Egyptian and Israeli delegations were participating in the talks. Mediators Egypt and Qatar have not reported developments from the latest negotiations.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Sunday that some progress had been made at a recent meeting in Doha. However, he noted that no agreement had yet been reached on ending the war.
He said Hamas was willing to release all Israeli hostages if Israel halted its war in Gaza. However, Israel seeks the release of the remaining hostages without offering a clear end to the conflict, Al Thani added.
Hamas political adviser Taher al-Nounou said the group was open to a multi-year ceasefire with Israel in Gaza and hoped to secure mediator support for this proposal.
Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem on Monday evening, Dermer said the Israeli government remained committed to eliminating Hamas’ military capabilities, ending its rule in Gaza, ensuring the enclave would no longer pose a threat to Israel, and returning the hostages.
Israel's war with Hamas
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a January truce collapsed. Jerusalem stated it would maintain pressure on Hamas until all hostages held in the enclave were freed, with about 24 believed still alive.
In late March, Israel expressed readiness to renew a ceasefire and presented Hamas with new conditions.
Recently, the IDF launched a ground operation near Rafah aimed at expanding the security zone.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that if Hamas refused to exchange hostages, Israeli forces would intensify their offensive in Gaza.
Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the resumption of the hostage exchange process. On April 15, the group rejected Israel’s latest proposal.
