Lebanese report: Israeli delegation headed to Cairo to discuss latest proposal

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo in the coming hours to give Israel’s position on the latest proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to Egyptian sources quoted by Lebanese news outlet al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah.

The sources claim the deal could enter into force at the beginning of next week, in light of American pressure on Israel and regional diplomatic efforts.

They add, however, that Cairo fears that “the Israeli government will not adhere to the ceasefire after receiving some of the hostages.”

Al-Akhbar says Egypt and Qatar have asked Hamas not to carry out attacks on Israeli territory in exchange for a “verbal pledge by the US to end the war and a guarantee to prevent its resumption,” amid concerns that Washington will not feel bound by such a commitment once the US election campaign gets underway.

The paper adds that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, and the two top diplomats have agreed that Gaza’s postwar reconstruction should only be launched after a security mechanism is devised to prevent renewed clashes between Israel and Hamas.