On October 7, Hamas captured over 250 individuals from Israel and brought them to the Gaza Strip. Last week, Hamas approved a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar, which included a prisoner exchange. The latest round of talks in Cairo, which involved mediators from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Israel, and Hamas, concluded last week without reaching a deal. The key points of contention between Hamas and Israel persist, with Hamas insisting on a permanent cessation of hostilities, while Israel rejects this demand. The Israeli government instead seeks a period of truce that includes the release of its surviving hostages from Gaza, without signifying an end to the conflict with Hamas.

Source: Egypt Today May 11, 2024 23:01 UTC