Israel’s negotiating team departs Cairo after drafting new hostage deal proposal

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, March 26, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, March 26, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Israel’s negotiating team is on its way back from Cairo, the Prime Minister’s Office announces on behalf of the Mossad.

“During the negotiations, with the effective mediation of Egypt, the mediators put together an updated proposal for Hamas to address,” says the statement.

“Israel expects the mediators to act more forcefully against Hamas to move the negotiations forward toward a deal,” says the PMO.

The wording of the message, which praised Egypt and hinted that Qatar needs to do more, reflects frustration expressed to The Times of Israel by Israeli officials over Qatar’s unwillingness to press Hamas to move toward a compromise.

The mid-level negotiating team was made up of Mossad, Shin Bet, and IDF officials.

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