Israeli sources deny reports about incoming ceasefire deal in Gaza
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Earlier today, Saudi media claimed that the Palestinian movement would declare in the next few hours that it agreed to the ceasefire and captives deal.
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A Palestinian man stands in the ruins of the Chahine family home, after an overnight Israeli strike that killed at least two adults and five boys and girls under the age of 16 in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 3, 2024 (AP)
An unnamed Israeli official made remarks to the media today denying an alleged announcement in the coming hours regarding a deal with Hamas on a ceasefire and release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian detainees.
Earlier today, Saudi media reported that the Palestinian movement would declare in the next few hours that it agreed to the ceasefire and captives deal.
Reportedly, Hamas said that the US gave it guarantees of a ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli occupation troops from Gaza in the third stage of the deal.
Speaking with Israeli news channel i24News on the condition of anonymity, the Israeli official said that many details still need to be negotiated including the names of Palestinians to be released.
Addressing the withdrawal of IOF troops from Gaza, he rejected the latter and said that the "assurances" are not "Israel's" and only Washington's.
The Israeli official was quoted as stating that IOF troops will stay in Gaza "because the Israeli public will not accept a different reality."
Reportedly, a Hamas delegation made it to Cairo today to proceed with mediated talks on a ceasefire and captives deal with the Israeli occupation.
CIA Director in Cairo for potential ceasefire agreement: Axios
According to Axios, CIA Director William Burns arrived in Cairo on May 3 to help Egyptian mediators in negotiating a captive and ceasefire agreement between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance, Hamas.
According to the report, Burns' trip demonstrates the Biden administration's urgency in reaching an agreement quickly, seeing this as a critical moment in negotiations.
Axios earlier reported that US President Joe Biden has been making extensive efforts in recent days to secure a ceasefire and a captive deal between "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance, Hamas, which he believes is a critical component of a much larger plan at home and abroad, Axios cited US officials as saying.
White House Spokesperson John Kirby stated on April 30 that Biden is completely focused on the matter, citing that a ceasefire would possibly pave the way for normalization between the occupation and Saudi Arabia, adding that it "has to start with a deal."
The Hamas politburo head informed the Egyptian minister that the movement's delegation for negotiations will arrive in Egypt "very soon," with the intention "to continue the ongoing discussions," with the goal of achieving "an agreement that meets the demands of the Palestinian people and stops the aggression."
According to US officials, a deal and captive agreement may put out other flames in the vicinity, including strikes by Yemen's Armed Forces (YAF) on ships in the Red Sea.
Senior Biden aides said the agreement might also allow the Lebanese Resistance, Hezbollah to retreat from the northern border.
A temporary truce may become permanent, allowing the Biden administration to resume discussions for a momentous mega-deal with Saudi Arabia, which officials divulge may bring Netanyahu to agree to a Palestinian state.
