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Khalil Al-Hayya, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Yair Sagi, Dana Kopel, Ludovic MARIN / AFP, Khalil Hamra/AP)
U.S. officials also support Qatar’s continued role, and a breakthrough in Cairo could shift key discussions to Doha. Egyptian sources told Al Qahera News that talks with a Hamas delegation have entered their third day.
“The Hamas delegation discussed ways to advance ceasefire talks in Gaza with the intelligence chief," an Egyptian source told the outlet. "Hamas expressed a desire to quickly return to a ceasefire, negotiations and calm, thanking Egypt for its efforts.”
Meanwhile, Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya reported that Egypt received Hamas’ demands, including a commitment to protect hostages’ lives and withdraw fighters in exchange for an Israeli pullback to agreed-upon points, while seeking to halt Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City.
Hamas also requested a written agreement with international guarantees against renewed fighting, though the report’s reliability remains unconfirmed. Despite Arab reports suggesting progress, Israel has not received an official proposal and no developments are acknowledged from its perspective.
At a press conference earlier this week, Netanyahu justified relinquishing partial hostage-release deals, promising “sophisticated methods to surprise Hamas.” He revealed orders to the IDF to accelerate the Gaza City takeover timeline, aiming to “move faster and earlier” to conclude the war.
