The United States has announced that substantive discussions are currently underway in Cairo concerning a potential new ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, according to media reports.
Despite this, during recent talks in Cairo, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh purportedly dismissed the notion of a temporary pause, as reported by the BBC. Following inconclusive initial discussions, negotiations are recommencing, with Haniyeh emphasizing that Israeli hostages will only be released upon the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
Conversely, Israel has consistently rejected the prospect of a lasting ceasefire, maintaining that the conflict will persist until Hamas is eradicated. Approximately 120 Israelis are still believed to be in Hamas captivity.
In a previous six-day ceasefire at the end of November, 105 hostages were released out of a total of 240 in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
(With Agency Inputs)
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