CAIRO: Ceasefire negotiations in Cairo aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict ended without agreement on Sunday, with neither Hamas nor Israel accepting the proposed compromises, according to two Egyptian security sources. This setback raises concerns about the prospects of a resolution in the US-backed effort to end the 10-month war.
Despite the impasse, a senior US official described the discussions as “constructive,” noting that all parties engaged with a focus on achieving a “final and implementable agreement.” The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that negotiations will continue in the coming days, with working groups addressing unresolved issues. The negotiation teams will remain in Cairo.
Months of intermittent talks have yet to produce an agreement to halt Israel’s military actions in Gaza or secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack on Israel. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, speaking in Halifax, Canada, confirmed that the US is still “feverishly” working in Cairo to broker a ceasefire and address the hostage situation.
A key issue in the negotiations, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, involves the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14.5-kilometre stretch along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. Israeli forces have maintained a presence in this corridor, and several proposed alternatives were rejected by both sides, according to Egyptian sources. Israel has also raised concerns about the release of certain Palestinian detainees demanded by Hamas, insisting they must leave Gaza if freed.
Significant discussions have taken place since Thursday among teams from Israel, the US, and Egypt. On Saturday, Qatar and Egypt met with senior Hamas representatives to review the proposal in detail. Israeli officials joined the talks on Sunday, but it remains unclear if any major progress was made.
Hamas has accused Israel of reneging on a previous commitment to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor and of introducing new demands, such as screening displaced Palestinians before they return to northern Gaza once a ceasefire is in place.
Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated that the group would not accept any deviations from the July 2 agreement or new conditions. In July, Hamas agreed to discuss releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers, 16 days after the first phase of an agreement to end the Gaza conflict. A senior Hamas source confirmed this arrangement to Reuters.
Following Sunday’s talks, a Hamas delegation left Cairo. Senior official Izzat El-Reshiq emphasized that the group continues to demand a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as conditions for any deal.
