No progress in Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo, source tells Al Mayadeen
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The senior source tells Al Mayadeen that Israeli media are resorting to lies and deception to deceive their society through disseminating fabricated news.
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This handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) meeting with CIA Director William Burns at the presidential palace in Cairo on April 7, 2024. (Photo by Egyptian Presidency / AFP)
A senior source within the Palestinian factions told Al Mayadeen on Monday that no progress has been achieved in the ongoing negotiations taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo on a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal.
The source affirmed that the Resistance's delegation went to the negotiations in Cairo armed with the nationally agreed-upon Palestinian stance.
The source stressed that Palestinian demands are clear, and there will be no agreement or exchange deal without achieving them.
These include an immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, the return of displaced persons, accommodation for the people of Gaza, and the reconstruction of the Strip.
The demands also include the opening of crossings for the entry of aid into Gaza, the lifting of the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip, and the completion of a genuine prisoner exchange deal.
According to the source, all attempts and efforts made by mediators to achieve an agreement and a prisoner exchange deal have been met with intransigence and obstruction by the Israeli occupation.
The source warned that Israeli media are resorting to lies and deception to deceive their society through disseminating fabricated news, adding that the official media sources of the Palestinian people will announce any new developments in the negotiations.
Hamas affirms adherence to 'natural demands' during ceasefire talks
Earlier on Sunday, the Hamas delegation affirmed evening the movement's adherence to its natural national demands during negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.
During a meeting with the Egyptian Minister of Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Hamas delegation emphasized the necessity of achieving an agreement that fully halts aggression, ensures the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and allows displaced people to return freely to their areas and places of residence, as well as provides relief to the Palestinian people and initiates the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the Israeli occupation.
Hamas added that a prisoner exchange deal must be concluded, whereby Palestinian detainees are released in exchange for Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip.
The movement reiterated its commitment, along with all Palestinian forces and factions, to achieve national objectives and establish a fully sovereign Palestinian state with its capital al-Quds, and the right of return and self-determination.
On Saturday, Hamas announced that a high-level delegation from the movement, led by Khalil al-Hayya, would head to Cairo in response to an Egyptian invitation for ceasefire negotiations.
Egyptian sources described as "high-level" revealed to Al Qahera News that the last hours witnessed intensive communications from the Egyptian side in Cairo to resume the negotiations.
The sources indicated that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman, along with an Israeli delegation, are participating in the Cairo talks.
This comes at a time when Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is escalating his rhetoric about the ongoing war. Earlier, he said that "Israel" is "one step away from victory," after news broke out that almost all Israeli occupation forces combat units withdrew from the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu vowed that his government will not agree to a truce until the Palestinian Resistance frees all Israeli captives.
"We are one step away from victory," he said. "But the price we paid is painful and heartbreaking."
"There will be no ceasefire without the return of hostages. It just won't happen," the Israeli premier reiterated.
In the same context, his Security Minister mentioned that Israeli forces withdrew from Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Sunday "to prepare for future missions, including... in Rafah."
Gallant claimed that Israeli troops were pulled out after months of violent warfare because "Hamas ceased to exist as a military framework" in Khan Younis.
Read more: 'Israel' says Khan Younis withdrawal to prepare for Rafah invasion
