Arab mediators frustrated with Hamas for accepting deal previously offered in March: NYT

Palestine

Published: 2024-05-07 18:23

Last Updated: 2024-05-19 09:54


Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani (L) and Egypt’s Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel.
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani (L) and Egypt’s Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel.

Qatari and Egyptian meditators were left frustrated with Hamas’ acceptance of the ceasefire proposal yesterday, as the proposal contained the exact same language as the one offered to Hamas in March – the NYT said citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

“Hamas’s response over the weekend frustrated the intermediaries because it rejected some of the very language that it had previously proposed and that had been adopted by the Israelis,” said people who were briefed on the talks.


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An “Israeli” low-level delegation has arrived in Cairo, Egypt, after Hamas accepted the ceasefire proposal put forth by Qatari and Egyptian mediators yesterday.

The delegation is composed of Mossad, Shin Bet, and army personnel, and they are not authorized to take part in the negotiations itself, but only to listen and ask questions to report back when returning to “Israel” – according to Hebrew media Yedioth Ahronoth.


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The chance of reaching a breakthrough is unlikely, and will depend on Hamas’ willingness to compromise and maneuver in the terms of the proposal – says one “Israeli” source.

"It is hard to believe that they will follow the same path as ours. The Hamas proposal is designed to mislead and present Israel as a refusenik,” said the source.

In light of this, the war cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the situation upon receiving a report from the delegation upon their return from Cairo.