Key Talks in Cairo Hit a Stalemate
Negotiations for a potential hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza hit a roadblock after a high-level Israeli delegation’s talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Saturday. The discussions have stalled, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introducing new demands, according to two Israeli officials.
Significance of the Cairo Meeting
The Cairo meeting occurred under intense U.S. pressure, only three days after Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. A senior Israeli delegation, led by Mossad and Shin Bet directors, visited Cairo to discuss terms for releasing hostages held by Hamas and establishing a ceasefire in Gaza, sources close to the matter told Axios.
Israeli officials and families of the hostages are increasingly worried. They fear Netanyahu’s new conditions and toughened stance might be a strategy to appear engaged in negotiations, primarily to ease pressure from President Biden. Hamas has rejected Netanyahu’s new demands, which include establishing an international mechanism to prevent weapons transfers from southern Gaza to the north. This and other stipulations are perceived as making a deal unattainable, according to Israeli officials.
U.S. Influence and Reactions
President Biden’s frustration with Netanyahu was palpable during a tough phone call on Thursday. Biden criticized the Israeli Prime Minister for escalating regional tensions and urged immediate progress towards a deal, emphasizing the need to stop taking actions that could hinder the agreement.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment in a press conference, stressing the importance of finding reasons to agree rather than delay.
Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics
Sources reveal that Mossad’s David Barnea and Shin Bet’s Ronen Bar were initially scheduled to meet Egyptian intelligence director Abbas Kamel on Thursday. However, following Haniyeh’s assassination, both sides postponed the meeting until after the Hamas leader’s funeral. Despite these delays, Brett McGurk, Biden’s top Middle East adviser, urged the Egyptians and Israelis to promptly reschedule the meeting and continue negotiations.
Notably, Qatari officials were absent from the meeting due to political sensitivities surrounding the assassination.
Security and Border Issues
Saturday’s talks also addressed security concerns linked to the hostage and ceasefire deal. Discussions included new security arrangements along the Philadelphi corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border to curb arms smuggling to Hamas. The Israeli delegation, joined by Gen. Ghassan Alian, also explored how to reopen the Rafah crossing for people movement, a critical condition for implementing the hostage deal.
Netanyahu’s Position and Internal Conflict
Israeli officials believe Netanyahu is hesitant to move forward with the deal, contradicting the impression he gave during his recent visit to the Oval Office. Reports from Israel’s Channel 12 indicate a contentious meeting between Netanyahu and the Israeli negotiations team, with the Shin Bet director confronting Netanyahu about his reluctance to advance the deal. Netanyahu responded by accusing his security chiefs of being overly accommodating to Hamas.
Official Statements
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has not denied reports of Netanyahu’s stern remarks during the meeting but maintains that Netanyahu is not obstructing the deal. They attribute the obstacles to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, asserting that Netanyahu is committed to securing the release of hostages while maintaining Israel’s security.
