Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided that the Israeli delegation will not participate in the second round of negotiations for a deal with Hamas, scheduled for February 15 in Cairo.
Cairo, acting as a mediator, had requested Israel to send a delegation.
The Families of the Hostages Headquarters expressed shock at Netanyahu's decision, fearing it could hinder progress in negotiations and endanger the lives of hostages.
Tomorrow, the families plan to block the entrance to Kiriya, demanding a meeting with cabinet members and Israeli delegation members involved in the Hamas talks.
Kan 11 correspondent Suleiman Maswadeh reported that Netanyahu made the decision to abstain from sending a delegation to Egypt independently, without consulting with members of the narrow cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. Maswadeh indicated they were presented with a done deal.
Kan Bet radio station disclosed that the rejection of the Israeli proposal for a deal with Hamas, formulated by Mossad and Shin Bet heads along with retired General Nitzan Alon, was decided in a "narrow circle"; Gantz and Eisenkot weren't part of the discussion.
Responding to reports about Israel's non-participation in the Cairo talks' second round, the Prime Minister's Office stated: "In Cairo, Israel hasn't received new proposals from Hamas for hostage release. Prime Minister Netanyahu remains firm: Israel won't yield to Hamas's unrealistic demands. Changing Hamas's stance will pave the way for negotiation progress."
