Hostage negotiation talks in Cairo end without breakthrough as Hamas rejects ‘Israeli conditions’

Hamas leaders announced on Sunday that they would not accept the latest “bridging proposal” from the United States, which has been the basis of recent discussions over a hostage deal with Israel in Doha, Qatar, and Cairo, Egypt. 

The terror group released a statement, stating, “The Hamas negotiating delegation left Cairo this evening, after meeting with the mediating brothers in Egypt and Qatar, and listening to the results of the last round of negotiations.” 

Hamas said it is willing to accept the previous proposal presented by U.S. President Joe Biden in July. 

“The Hamas delegation demanded that the occupation be bound by what was agreed upon on 2 July, based on what was stated in Biden's speech and the Security Council resolution.” 

Hamas further insisted “that any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the freedom of return of residents to their areas, relief and reconstruction, and a serious exchange deal.” 

The announcement came after the return of the Israeli delegation, consisting of Mossad head David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and the head of the IDF's Hostages and Missing Persons unit, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon. Also present at the talks were CIA Director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel. 

The Israeli delegation is expected on Monday to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the progress of the talks.

A source with connections to Egyptian intelligence told Israel's N12 news channel that Hamas is aware of the locations of all the hostages. This information contradicts earlier statements by the terror group claiming uncertainty regarding the whereabouts and condition of all hostages.

The source said that Hamas’ primary concern is the Philadelphi Corridor, which Israel seized control of during its initial operation in Rafah. The terror group maintained a network of smuggling tunnels in that area, using them to import weapons and supplies. One tunnel was large enough for full-size delivery trucks to drive through. 

During the recent negotiations, the Israeli delegation attempted to reach agreements with Egypt about the IDF's presence at the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah border crossing.

Saudi news channel Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, citing sources close to the negotiations, reported that Israel demanded that eight military points along the Philadelphi Corridor, currently manned by IDF troops, remain during the first phase of the hostage deal. The sources said that during the negotiations, the Israeli delegation agreed to reduce the number from eight to five.

Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that Washington was still “feverishly” working to achieve a hostage-ceasefire deal. 

A U.S. official told the Times of Israel, “The process will continue over the coming days through working groups to further address remaining issues and details.” 

The official said the recent talks were “constructive and were conducted in the spirit of reaching a final and implementable agreement with all sides sharing that sentiment.”