Israeli delegation returns from Cairo, no breakthrough in hostage talks


Official says representatives attended negotiations ‘to listen,’ didn’t present new offer; report says number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed per hostage is key sticking point

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi (R) meeting with CIA director William Burns (C-L) at Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, on February 13, 2024

Talks involving the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a hostage release deal ended without a breakthrough on Tuesday, as Israel faced mounting pressure to reach an agreement to halt the war in Gaza against Hamas.

The Israeli delegation was on its way back from Cairo, an official in the Prime Minister’s Office told The Times of Israel. They met with CIA director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and Egyptian officials for talks on a truce framework.

Another official said that the Israeli delegation, led by Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, was “there to listen,” and that they did not put a new offer on the table.

Despite the Israeli delegation’s departure, the negotiations were “positive” and would continue for three more days, said Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, citing a senior Egyptian official.

Egypt’s state information service also said the meeting ended with “keenness to continue consultation and coordination” on the key issues. Though Barnea and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar attended the meeting, the Egyptian statement made no mention of Israel.

“The meeting witnessed a review of the developments of the current situation,” according to the announcement, and “confirmed the continued consultation and intensive coordination to achieve the goals of the ceasefire, the protection of civilians and [work toward a] two-state solution, in a manner that enhances efforts to establish security and stability in the region.”

The information service said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with Burns and Al-Thani to discuss the potential truce, the release of the hostages and the delivery of more aid into the enclave, adding that that no breakthrough was made.

A Hamas official told AFP the terror group was waiting for the outcome of the Cairo meeting but was “open to discussing any initiative that achieves an end to aggression and war.”

The Kan public broadcaster reported that the Mossad, together with the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces, put together a new framework for a truce deal to release the hostages that was dismissed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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