The mid-level delegation taking part in indirect truce talks between Israel and Hamas is in Egypt today to gauge whether there is any point in having Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar participate in negotiations in the coming days, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.
Israel is disappointed with Qatari mediation of late, says the official. “They are not putting enough pressure on Hamas,” argues the official as talks take place in Egypt, a country with which Israel shares deep, long-standing security ties.
The el-Sissi regime in Cairo also sees Hamas and its parent movement the Muslim Brotherhood as a mortal enemy, whereas Qatar aligns itself with such Islamist movements across the region.
Israel is willing to show some flexibility on prisoner releases, says the official, but is not willing to let masses of Gazans move back to the northern part of the Strip as Hamas demands.
“We will not let Hamas re-establish itself in the north,” says the official.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, March 31, 2024
