Under What Conditions Will Israel Send a Delegation to Cairo?

The Israeli government will not send a delegation to Cairo to continue negotiations until the Palestinian Hamas radical movement responds to the recent proposal regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages, Kan state radio reported, citing an informed source.

“At this stage, it has been decided that the delegation will not go to Cairo at all. Israel is waiting for Hamas’s response, which is expected to come Wednesday evening, and at that time a decision will be made,” the source told the radio station.

According to CNN, a new proposal has been formulated with the help of Israel. The first phase of the agreement includes the release of 20-33 hostages over several weeks in exchange for a cessation of military operations and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The duration of the ceasefire will depend on the number of hostages that are successfully released.

The second phase envisions the “restoration of sustainable calm” in the Gaza Strip. According to diplomatic sources, the formulation implies “reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire without the need to call it that.” At this stage, remaining hostages held by Hamas, including soldiers captured by the organization, and the bodies of the deceased will be exchanged for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners.