HAMAS began talks last night about a possible ceasefire in Gaza, which would see the return of up to 33 Israeli hostages.
A delegation for the terrorist group said they had traveled to the Egyptian capital in a “positive spirit”. Cairo.
Senior official Taher Al-Nono said Hamas discussed Egypt's proposals Qatari mediators “with complete seriousness”.
But he said any agreement must include Israel leaving Gaza and an end to the conflict.
A Israeli An official said they would “under no circumstances” agree to ending the war over a hostage deal.
If 33 were to return, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, about 100 would remain Gaza.
The war began after Hamas stunned Israel with a cross-border attack October 7 in which, according to Israeli figures, 1,200 people were killed and 252 hostages were taken.
More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed – 32 of them in the most recent 24-hour period – and more than 77,000 have been injured in Israel's attack, Gaza's Health Ministry said.
The bombing destroyed much of the enclave.
There was some optimism before the talks started.
“Things are looking better this time, but whether there will be an agreement depends on whether Israel has offered what is needed to make that happen,” a Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation efforts, who declined to be named, told reporters. wanted to mention, to Reuters.
Washington – which, like other Western powers and Israel, labels Hamas a terrorist group – has urged Hamas to reach a deal.
However, progress has stumbled over long-standing Hamas demands to commit to ending the offensive.
Israel insists that after any ceasefire it will resume operations aimed at disarming and dismantling the faction.