Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip border area with Egypt, in Rafah, could compromise the agreement. Exchange of hostages for prisoners is another sensitive point for a possible ceasefire.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas will resume today in Cairo, in the presence of delegations from Egypt, Qatar and the United States, local media reported.
“Negotiations on the armistice resume today in Cairo, in the presence of all parties,” a “high-level” Egyptian source told Al Qahera News, a station close to Egypt’s intelligence services.
The source, who did not wish to be identified, did not provide further details on the status of negotiations aimed at a truce in the conflict.
The latest proposal presented by the mediators has already been accepted by Hamas, but Israel “continues to analyze” the text.
This proposal, signed by Egypt, the United States, Qatar and the United Nations, provides for a truce in three phases – lasting 42 days each – which should lead to the exchange of Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, the withdrawal of Israeli forces of Gaza and a period of “calm” in the enclave.
Even so, these negotiations could be affected after the Israeli Army announced that it took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, in the extreme south of the enclave.
Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ political office, condemned the Israeli attack on Rafah and warned against the forced displacement of residents.
