Photo: Florian Goga/Reuters
Despite reports of an alleged “significant breakthrough” in negotiations on the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, an official source in the Israeli government said on Tuesday that no agreement had been reached. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
“Israel has been working continuously and tirelessly with the US and mediators to advance a hostage deal, but there is no agreement at this point,” the source said, commenting on Monday’s Reuters report.
Earlier, two Egyptian security sources said that the talks in Cairo were approaching a “significant breakthrough” and that the parties had allegedly agreed on a long-term truce. At the same time, Reuters stressed that there are still controversial issues that have yet to be resolved.
The Israeli government also said on Monday that it would not agree to any truce with Hamas that would allow the terrorist group to “rearm, rebuild and continue the war against Israel with renewed vigour”.
According to AFP, Hamas on Saturday expressed its readiness for a deal that would provide for the one-time release of all hostages in exchange for a five-year ceasefire.
