Egyptian delegation heads to Doha to bridge ceasefire negotiations
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An Egyptian delegation is trying to approach all viewpoints in order to achieve a ceasefire deal and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza.
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Destroyed buildings stand in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Monday, July 8, 2024 (AP)
An Egyptian security delegation is heading to Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, to consolidate viewpoints between "Israel" and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, Egyptian media reported, citing an informed source.
According to the source, negotiations are still ongoing in Cairo, amid the security delegation's increased efforts to bridge the approaches of all sides.
In turn, Israeli media said the chief of the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad, and the chief of the Shin Bet, were also traveling to Qatar for talks about a prisoner exchange deal.
Hamas had been reiterating its demand to end the war on Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from the Strip, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued insisting on achieving the unattainable war objectives he set and stated that the war would not stop until all of them were achieved.
However, Washington and Doha have been boosting efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange deal, particularly over the past few days, and in light of the nearing presidential elections in the United States.
Time to close the deal, Benjamin
Last week, President Joe Biden and Netanyahu had "a critical discussion" on Thursday about the ongoing negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza, Axios reported.
Biden has been advocating for a resolution he suggested to secure the release of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance. Despite the fact that Biden had claimed that his latest suggestion garnered Israeli approval and the disapproval of the Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas, the actual statements and actions of both parties showed the opposite.
The latest discussions between US and Israeli officials aimed to facilitate the completion of a deal, especially after Hamas' positive feedback, which was submitted to mediators on Wednesday.
A senior White House official told Axios that Biden told Netanyahu that "it is time to close the deal," which would secure the release of hostages and reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Axios, the White House believes this is a pivotal moment to move forward with negotiations and finalize an agreement, which the news website says would be a major foreign policy win for Biden, who has come under increasing criticism after a presidential debate with Donald Trump.
