TEHRAN – Palestinian leaders have confirmed that negotiations in Cairo have reached a deadlock.
Speaking to local media, an unknown Palestinian senior official said the meeting aimed at laying the foundation for the second phase of the meeting had failed.
He said the mediator did not persuade Israeli delegation to take part in the next phase of negotiations.
Palestinian leaders also strongly rejected Israeli pressure tactics, emphasizing that the Gaza resistance would not release prisoners without comprehensive agreement.
He explained that Israel violated the agreement by delaying the transition to the second phase of negotiations. He also said that the Israeli occupation regime was attempting to extend the first stage as it gradually restored prisoners.
High officials report that mediators are attempting to extend the first stage, but only if Hamas released a certain number of prisoners.
Previously, the Hamas movement issued a press release stating that it had “blocked the enemy’s false justification” and that “the Zionist regime had no choice.”
Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of trying to betray and obstruct the agreement, warning that such actions only exacerbate the suffering of prisoners and their families.
The movement reaffirmed that the only way to secure the release of Israeli prisoners of war in Gaza is through negotiations to comply with the ceasefire framework.
In a statement, Hamas reiterated his full commitment to the ceasefire agreement in all details and expressed his readiness to engage in negotiations for the second phase.
Egypt also rejected Israel’s proposal to rule Gaza, confirming that Gaza governance is an exclusive right of the Palestinians.
Tamim Kalahu, a spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the strong ties between Gaza and the West Bank, including Eastern Al-Kud (Jerusalem), saying they are all part of Palestinian territory representing an independent Palestinian state.
He emphasized that Gaza must emphasize Egypt’s rejection of proposals that would maintain the fullness of Palestinian sovereignty and administration and undermine the established position of the Arab world.
The formula reiterated that the core issue of the conflict was Israel’s occupation and that it must end with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The spokesman also warned that semi-measures would not provide a permanent resolution, but merely extend the conflict.
Khallaf’s comments reported by Egyptian media responded to journalists’ inquiries regarding Gaza’s governance proposals, including a recent proposal that Egypt temporarily manages the area.
Egypt’s stance also responded to plans proposed by Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid. He proposed to the US that Egypt would control Gaza for 15 years in exchange for cancellation of $155 billion in foreign debt.