Israel-Hamas war: Hamas delegation departs Cairo; Ceasefire negotiations to reconvene next week
Palestinian children above the rubble of a building destroyed during Israeli strikes.
Hamas on Thursday (March 7) announced that its delegation has left Cairo and discussions on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release are set to resume next week.
This development makes it highly doubtful for mediators to broker a deal before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Despite an impasse over Hamas' phased process demand, Egyptian officials have not ruled out the possibility of a deal before Ramadan, expected to begin Sunday evening (March 10).
President Biden had expressed hope for a swift resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict before Ramadan but, as of now, no agreement has been reached.
Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha stated that Israel is reluctant to provide guarantees on the ceasefire, return of displaced individuals, and withdrawal from the incursion areas.
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The talks are ongoing and scheduled to resume next week, with no immediate comment from Israel.
Earlier on Saturday, a US senior official said that Israel has 'more or less' agreed to a deal proposing a six-week ceasefire in its war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza strip.
The Biden administration official further added that it was now up to Hamas to fully agree to the release of the most vulnerable hostages for the agreement to be put into effect.
"There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," the Biden administration official told AFP speaking on condition of anonymity.
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"Right now, the ball is in the camp of Hamas."
The official said that the negotiators were working "round the clock" in order to ensure the deal was secured by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"It will be a six-week ceasefire in Gaza starting today if Hamas agrees to release the defined category of vulnerable hostages... the sick, the wounded, elderly and women," the official said.
"I just want to kind of emphasize that we would have a ceasefire if Hamas addresses that final issue," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)