Hamas rejects latest hostage deal proposal, Israel threatens Cairo summit withdrawal

• Published date: 05 April 2024
• Author: YUVAL BARNEA
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

According to an unnamed diplomat cited by CNN, "They refused and asserted it doesn't include any reply to their asks."

According to the diplomat, Hamas believed the "Israeli proposal includes nothing new, so they see no need to change their proposal," the official added.

Negotiations were supposed to lead to a lasting ceasefire, per the UN Security Council resolution passed last month, and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US have worked to try and broach a deal since the conflict broke out in October.

Negotiators were hoping to achieve a six-week ceasefire and a three-phase framework to secure the release of sick, elderly, and wounded hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid.

This round had looked more promising but ultimately came to naught, with Hamas refusing to keep negotiating unless Israel agreed to two major demands.

Hamas demanded that there be unrestricted return of Gazans to the north and that IDF troops would withdraw.

Continued negotiations?

CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Director Ronen Bar were expected to meet in Egypt this weekend to continue ceasefire talks.

However, the latest rejection by Hamas has led Israeli officials to publically wonder whether there is any point in continuing negotiations, according to a report by public broadcaster KAN11.

The trio met last month in Doha for talks with mediators, but no clear...