Israel yet to hear Hamas willing to retreat from maximalist demands, despite mediators’ optimism, official tells ToI

A senior Israeli official lowers expectations that a hostage deal is imminent.

“Even though the mediators are speaking optimistically, Israel has yet to hear that Hamas has agreed to retreat from its maximalist positions,” the senior official tells The Times of Israel.

Moments ago, Hamas issued a statement saying that it is sending a delegation to Cairo tomorrow in a “positive spirit” aimed at reaching a deal. The terror group has yet to provide its official response to the latest proposal green-lit by Israel earlier this week.

Earlier today, CIA chief Bill Burns arrived in Cairo, and a US official said there had been some progress in the talks. The Biden administration has said Hamas is the only party standing in the way of a deal that would see some of the hostages released an immediate ceasefire of at least six weeks.