Cairo/Tel AVIV: Another round of indirect negotiations on the Gaza war came to an end on Sunday in the Egyptian capital Cairo, with representatives from Palestinian Hamas set to head to Qatar next for consultation with their leadership, according to the group.
The Hamas delegation had delivered a response to the mediators’ proposals and discussed them with the representatives of Egypt and Qatar, the organisation wrote on its Telegram channel.
The delegation planned to leave Cairo on Sunday evening and consult with the organisation’s leaders in Qatar, it said.
The latest round of negotiations to find a solution to the months-long conflict in Gaza had begun on Saturday. Israel had not sent a delegation as the government wanted to wait and see whether Hamas would accept the latest proposal from the mediators, which also includes the US.
This envisages a multi-stage agreement between Israel and Hamas, which should lead to the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons and an end to the war in Gaza.
Negotiations for a solution to the conflict have stalled for months, following a brief ceasefire in November, with Israel and Hamas trading blame for the lack of progress.
In its statement on Sunday, Hamas emphasised that it was conducting the negotiations “in a positive spirit and responsibly.” However, a breakthrough did not appear to be on the horizon. The group is insisting on an agreement in which Israel commits from the outset to ending the war and completely withdrawing its troops from the Gaza Strip.
However, Israel denies such a commitment and wants to reserve the right to take further military action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday again reiterated his stance that the country will continue the war in Gaza until all of its objectives have been achieved, and again blamed Hamas for the stalled negotiations over a temporary ceasefire. (DPA)
