Hostage talks in Cairo involving Hamas representatives and Israeli militants have ended inconclusively, Egyptian security sources told Reuters.
The parties were unable to agree on the mediators’ proposals, casting doubt on future prospects for reaching an agreement.
Egyptian sources have expressed doubts about the success of efforts to resolve the situation.
However, a senior US official called the talks “constructive” and said they took place in an atmosphere of mutual desire to reach a deal.
However, despite this, no tangible results were achieved.
Previously, Kursor reported how Israel’s preemptive strike against Hezbollah would affect hostage negotiations.
Analysts assessed the consequences of Israel’s preemptive strike against Hezbollah terrorists and its impact on the negotiation process in Cairo.
The Israeli operation, carried out on the eve of an important summit in Cairo, clearly demonstrated the fragility of the situation in the Middle East and the complexity of the ceasefire negotiation process. As a result of the liquidation of one of Hezbollah’s key military leaders, Fuad Shukr, the terrorist organization found itself in a difficult situation. This Israeli-led operation coincided with the arrival of an Israeli delegation in Cairo, which raised speculation about its possible impact on future negotiations.
The delegation, led by Mossad director Dedi Barnea, despite the worsening situation on Israel’s northern border, continued to engage in negotiations aimed at the release of the hostages. According to Israeli sources, Hezbollah was planning a massive missile and drone attack in response to the Israeli actions. However, a preemptive IDF strike thwarted these plans, thereby reducing the likelihood of the conflict escalating to the regional level.
Such actions by Hezbollah highlight its caution and desire to avoid a large-scale conflict, which, in turn, could affect the strategic calculations of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar, who enjoyed the support of Iran and Hezbollah, may now find himself in a difficult situation without the necessary support, which significantly weakens his position in the current confrontation.
The Cairo summit, which includes senior officials from several countries, including CIA chief Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani, is crucial to reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. One of the key objectives of the negotiations is the release of women, children and military personnel in captivity, as well as the conclusion of a humanitarian agreement that provides for the release of some 900 Palestinian prisoners.
