The New York Times reports that following the inconclusive end to negotiations in Cairo at the intelligence chiefs level, discussions will continue at a lower level for another three days.
Previously, the negotiations were deemed promising. However, reaching an agreement was unsuccessful. According to one U.S. official, Israel and Hamas disagreed on the number of Palestinians Israel would release from its prisons in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and its allies. At the same time, an Egyptian source noted a "positive" tone in the negotiations.
Qatar and Egypt serve as intermediaries during the negotiations. International concern over Israel's plans to conduct a large-scale operation in Rafah is growing. According to Palestinian reports, around 1.4 million people reside there. Many live in tents and experience shortages of food, drinking water, and medicine.
The Wall Street Journal reports, citing U.S. officials, that the meeting of intelligence chiefs, attended by the Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea, ended without any results. The summit included CIA director William Burns, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
According to sources, no agreement was reached on any main points, including the duration of the ceasefire or the ratio of released Hamas hostages to Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli delegation reiterated Israel's leadership's view that the terms of the deal proposed by Hamas are unrealistic. Egyptian officials stated that negotiations will continue through diplomatic and security channels in the coming days.
