‘Israel has boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks As Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list of hostages who are still alive’, an Israeli newspaper reported.
A Hamas delegation came up in Cairo for the talks, termed as a possible final obstacle before an agreement that would stop the fighting for six weeks.
There was no sign of the Israelis by Sunday evening. The online version of Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted, ‘There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo’.L
“Hamas rejected to provide answers and there is no reason to dispatch the Israeli delegation”, it added.
Washington has made a stand that the ceasefire deal is close and should be in place in time to stop fighting by the start of Ramadan, a week away. But the warring sides have given signs in public of backing away from previous demands.
A Palestinian official said the deal was “not yet there” and there was no official comment from Israel. According to the media sources. ‘Israel can stay away from Cairo unless Hamas first presents its full list of hostages who are still alive. However, a Palestinian source said Hamas had rejected that demand.
US official said over the weekend, ‘At this hour the path to a ceasefire is straightforward and there’s a deal on the table’.
According to the US officials, ‘Israel had agreed to the framework and it was now up to Hamas to respond’.
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