Israeli delegation returns from Egypt: Negotiations stalled

The delegation sent by Israel to Egypt for hostage exchange negotiations returned to Tel Aviv after a few hours due to disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

According to a report by the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper, the delegation, consisting of Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Major General Ghassan Alian, head of the Israeli military's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), was forced to return to Israel following the talks in Cairo.

While it was stated that the primary reason for the negotiating team's return was the disagreements between Netanyahu and the military regarding the hostage exchange talks, no details were provided about these disputes. The Prime Minister's office has not yet issued a statement regarding the report in the newspaper.

FUTURE OF NEGOTIATIONS UNCERTAIN 

No statements have been made by Egyptian, Qatari, or Hamas officials regarding the resumption of hostage exchange negotiations following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman had stated on July 31 that there were uncertainties regarding how the negotiations would proceed.

US President Joe Biden announced a three-phase ceasefire plan proposed by Israel on May 31. This plan envisioned a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the mutual release of hostages, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the uninterrupted provision of humanitarian aid. However, Netanyahu had introduced new conditions for the hostage exchange negotiations, which included restricting the movement of armed Palestinians and requiring the Israeli military to remain in the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border.

News Source: 12punto