Gaza Ceasefire Efforts Collapse as Israel and Hamas Remain at Odds

Palestinian and Egyptian sources said Monday that talks in Cairo to revive a Gaza ceasefire and obtain hostages for Israel ended without success. Hamas was still insisting on agreements ending the war. Israel was resolute in its insistence that they not cease military operations unless Hamas is dismantled.

Hamas officials, led by delegation head Khalil Al-Hayya, rejected any deal that involved disarmament but were willing to potentially compromise on the hostage releases. Israel was willing to have a deal for around 10 hostages freed and there had previously been a Hamas offer of 5 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. An Egyptian mediator conveyed that Hamas want guarantees that the ceasefire extensions would eventually move on to permanent peace talks, something Israel will not accept as it wants to rid of Hamas altogether.

Since they resumed strikes last month, Israeli actions have killed more than 1,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians and displaced countless more. An airstrike in Jabalia leveled another building, trapping the victims alive under rubble, while tents in Khan Younis were reduced to scraps. "And we don't know where to stay," reflected resident Ismail al-Raqab, summing up a sense of hopelessness felt by many. Israel maintains that its airstrikes are correcting what it relates as threats from militants.

On Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Emir of Qatar’s Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met to create momentum for the truce attempts, asking for international guarantees for a truce beyond those of their country (which they offered). US President Donald Trump offered his support for Israel's campaign while stating that there was "progress" in terms of hostage negotiations, but no concrete outcomes.