Israel tells Egypt its serious about hostage deal and Rafah offensive as talks end

Talks between Israeli officials and a top-level Egyptian delegation sent to discuss efforts to reach a hostage deal with Hamas and Israel’s impending offensive in Rafah have ended.

A senior Israeli official tells Hebrew media that talks were “very good, focused, held in good spirits and progressed in all parameters.”

The official tells Ynet that the Egyptians seem willing to pressure Hamas toward reaching a deal and that “in the background, there are very serious intentions from Israel to move ahead in Rafah.”

The Israeli official says Israel warned it would not agree to foot-dragging by Hamas on the hostage deal in a bid to forestall the IDF operation and noted that reserve forces have been called up.

“This is the last chance before we go into Rafah,” the official tells Channel 12.

The official reiterates Israel’s willingness to now only accept 33 living hostages in the first stage of the deal.

The official also says Israel is willing to make further major concessions like allowing the return of residents to northern Gaza and withdrawing forces from a key corridor bisecting Gaza, Channel 12 says.

Egypt’s top intelligence official, Abbas Kamel, leads the delegation, and plans to discuss with Israel a “new vision” for a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, an Egyptian official said ahead of the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the mission freely.