Progress in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas

2024-05-04 20:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

A delegation of Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - is attending talks in Cairo, as Egypt's state media reported "significant progress" in ceasefire talks with Israel.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official has played down the possibility of a complete halt to the war in Gaza, which was triggered after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Pressure has mounted for a deal to be reached as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and Israel, on the other hand, is insisting it will launch an offensive in Rafah, the territory's southernmost city.

More than 1 million Palestinians are taking refuge in Rafah, which borders Egypt, as many have fled to northern Gaza, and according to the United Nations, residents in the area are facing starvation.

Egyptian and American mediators have reported in recent days that there are signs of compromise, but the chances of a deal are still not good, as the key issue is whether Israel will agree to end it. war without achieving its goal: the destruction of Hamas.

Egyptian state media Al-Qahera reported on May 4 that consensus had been reached on many issues, but did not provide further details. Hamas has called for a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.

The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza. Meanwhile, as a result of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, nearly 1,200 people were killed and nearly 250 others were kidnapped. Israel has said that Hamas radicals are still holding close to 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

A senior Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of ongoing negotiations, downplayed the possibility of a complete end to the war. The official said Israel is committed to an offensive in Rafah and told The Associated Press that the country would not agree under any circumstances to end the war as part of a deal to release the hostages.

According to the proposal of Egypt - which is the mediator of the talks - a six-week ceasefire would be developed through three phases, which foresees the partial release of hostages and the withdrawal of some Israeli troops./ REL