Hamas’s chairman, Ismail Haniyeh, is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials about a new temporary ceasefire deal with Israel. Haniyeh only reluctantly accepted Egypt’s invitation to attend talks. Hamas and its leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, have been consistent in their demand that they will not negotiate a deal with Israel while they are still under fire. They are requesting that Israel stops all assaults, retreats, and begins a permanent ceasefire before negotiations for the release of hostages can begin.
Although Israel is keen to make a deal, it currently draws the line at stopping the fighting before an agreement has been reached. It certainly will not consent to a permanent ceasefire.
There has been growing public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal for the release of hostages. There are currently some 130 Israelis still held in Gaza, including six or seven women, a toddler and a baby.
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