Egyptian sources were quoted on Sunday as saying that the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are on the “verge of collapse” due to Israeli “inflexibility,” Al-Araby TV has reported. “Cairo and Doha are making great efforts to prevent the negotiations on Gaza from reaching a dead end,” it added.

The television channel pointed out that politicians in Israel are spoiling all visits by security officials to Cairo and Doha for talks on a ceasefire. Egyptian sources warned that the exchange deal negotiations may fail completely if Israel does not change its approach.

In a related context, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said that the Israelis go against what is agreed upon at every stage of the negotiations. He added in televised statements that the occupation state says that it is not ready for a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and to stop its aggression. The negotiations, he added, are stalling on these two points.

“We showed the maximum flexibility regarding the prisoners on condition that the aggression stops and there is a complete unconditional withdrawal, relief and reconstruction. We are looking forward to positive results rather than just positive messages from the US administration regarding the ceasefire,” explained Hamdan. “We made contact with mediators, Turkiye and other parties to mobilise an international position that forces the occupation into a ceasefire.”

He stressed his belief that the genocide committed against the Palestinian people, and their severe suffering due to cold and hunger, raises questions about the continued existence of the international system.

“Moreover, the occupation state is attacking hospitals to eradicate the Palestinian presence according to the Generals’ Plan,” said Hamdan. “The medical sector in the Gaza Strip has represented the cohesion of the Palestinian people and their will to live.”

Last Wednesday, the Islamic Resistance Movement said that new conditions set by the […] occupation state postponed any chance for agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange of prisoners in the midst of the negotiations taking place in Doha and Cairo.