Israel and Hamas have been far apart on their terms for a deal in the past, dragging out negotiations that appeared to have momentum. Talks are also pinning down which areas of Gaza that Israel would withdraw troops from, the Egyptian official said, adding that Israel wants Hamas to refrain from using those it left as staging grounds for attacks. It also wants Hamas to stop firing rockets at southern Israel. Israel wants to destroy what it says are the few Hamas battalions left standing there. Israel wants to retain overall security control in the Gaza Strip and has rejected having world powers impose a state on it.

Source: The Hindu February 28, 2024 13:17 UTC