The US and Egypt are seeking to broker a new Gaza ceasefire but prospects of a deal remained uncertain as Hamas asserted that it would not discuss anything less than a complete end to Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian enclave.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visited Egypt on Wednesday for the first time in more than a month to hold discussions with the Egyptian officials who are seeking to mediate another truce, reported Reuters.
As per the report, quoting a source as saying, the envoys were involved in discussion which of the hostages still held by Palestinian Islamist militants in Gaza could be freed and the Palestinian prisoners that might be released by Israel under the new truce.
Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group that is also holding hostages in Gaza, said its leader will also visit Egypt soon to discuss a possible end to the conflict, stated the Reuters report.
“These are very serious discussions and negotiations, and we hope that they lead somewhere,” White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: US Deepened Partnership With India, Says Blinken. Talks About Israel’s ‘Obligation’
But Haniyeh’s media adviser, Taher Al-Nono told Reuters that Hamas was not willing to discuss the release of more Israeli hostages until Tel Aviv ended its military campaign in the Palestinian enclave and increased the volume of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
“The issue of prisoners can be negotiated after these two matters are achieved. We cannot talk about negotiations while Israel continues its aggression. Discussing any proposal related to prisoners must occur after the cessation of aggression,” Nono said in an interview in Cairo.
The Palestinian militant group also rejected any further temporary pause in Israel’s military campaign saying it will discuss only a permanent ceasefire. “We have talked with our brothers in Egypt, outlining our stance on this aggression and the urgent need to stop it as a top priority,” Nono said.
On the other hand, Israel has insisted that all the remaining women and infirm men held as hostage be released. Palestinians convicted of serious offences could be on the list of prisoners to be freed by Israel.