Israel and Hamas suspend ceasefire talks in Gaza

Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, designated terrorist by the United States and the European Union, on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have been suspended. This was reported by the Israeli television and radio company Kan, citing sources. According to them, the parties did not agree on the conditions for the release of hostages captured by jihadists on October 7 last year and could not define the concept of “end of the war.”

Interlocutors Kan toldthat the mediators Egypt and Qatar participating in the negotiations insist on an exchange of hostages for a cessation of hostilities. At the same time, the parties have different positions on the concept of “end of war.” In addition, Israel vetoes the names of jihadists whose release Hamas demands.

Egypt and Qatar took the position of the Palestinian faction.

The last negotiations took place in Cairo. It was planned to release 33 hostages and withdraw Israeli units from parts of Gaza, return the remaining living hostages and exchange the bodies of the dead. Hamas allegedly agreed to the terms of the deal, but on May 6 Israel launched a ground operation in the southern city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt. Israel calls Rafah the last stronghold of Hamas.

On May 12, Cairo decided to join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Egypt explained this by the growing escalation in Gaza and aggression against the Palestinians. However, Egypt rejected Israel’s proposal for coordinated action to resume the opening and further management of the Rafah checkpoint.

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