Delegations from the leaders of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine met in Cairo yesterday to discuss the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the hostage release agreement.
Hamas says the possibility of reaching an agreement is “closer than ever if the enemy stops imposing new conditions.”
The groups “stressed everyone’s desire to stop the aggression against our people,” Hamas said in a statement, apparently referring to their demand for a permanent ceasefire.
The nature of the cease-fire agreement is the main point of contention in the talks, with Hamas demanding a permanent cessation of fighting, while Israel is seeking a temporary pause during which some of the hostages would be freed, followed by resumption of fighting to complete the dismantling of military and governance capabilities. Hamas, an Arab diplomat told the Times of Israel earlier this week.
Israel has demanded that the agreement refer to the ceasefire as an agreement that “ends the military operation”, while Hamas insists that the text states that the truce will “end the war”.
The delegations agreed to hold another meeting as soon as possible.
(Vijesti.ba)
