Hamas, Israel ‘Gaza ceasefire dialogue’ end without breakthrough

Hamas has rejected new Israeli conditions for Gaza ceasefire, as the dialogue ended without breakthrough in Egypt capital Cairo.

The delegation of the Palestinian group left the city on Sunday after meeting with mediators casting further doubt on the chances of a breakthrough in the latest United States-backed effort to end the 10-month-old war.

Reuters also confirmed the development stating that talks ended without an agreement with neither Hamas nor Israel agreeing to compromises proposed by mediators.

Key sticking points in the talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar include an Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5km-long (9-mile-long) stretch of land along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.

Hamas’s delegation demanded that Israel be bound by what was agreed upon on July 2, in accordance with a plan laid out by US President Joe Biden and a UN Security Council resolution.

Furthermore, the group wants Israel to spot the destruction of the Gaza Strip and withdrawal of its forces from Gaza.

Hamas also said any agreement should include the freedom of return for Gaza residents to their homes, relief and reconstruction, and a captive-prisoner exchange deal.

However, there was no sign of any breakthrough on the issues dividing Israel and Hamas.

The Palestinian group blames Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of progress during the talks. The Israeli Prime Minister is accused of imposing new demands and not being serious about reaching a ceasefire.