Hamas delegation may return to Cairo on March 9 to continue Gaza ceasefire talks – Reports

The delegation of Palestinian movement Hamas may return to Cairo on March 9 to continue talks on a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

The delegation had left the Egyptian capital for consultations with its leadership, the journal added, citing Egyptian officials familiar with the matter.

On Thursday, Hamas political office member Husam Badran told Sputnik that the ceasefire negotiations with Israel had entered a deadlock, adding that the Jewish country was “buying time for itself.”

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Hamas head in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, who almost had not been involved in the negotiations until recently, now demands that Israel commit itself to negotiating a possible permanent ceasefire in the conflict-torn enclave, the report said.

The request reportedly contradicts the stance of other Hamas officials who allow for the possibility of a six-week pause in fighting.

At the same time, Sinwar is deemed to hope for a more profitable deal amid disagreements between the United States and Israel, the report also said.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others.

Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.

At least 30,800 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

On Nov. 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on Dec. 1.

More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.