No ‘major issues’: Hamas delegation heads to Egypt for Gaza truce talks

A delegation from Hamas is set to meet in Egypt on Monday to discuss Israel’s latest truce proposal, which aims to resolve the nearly seven-month-long conflict in Gaza and includes plans for a hostage release. This meeting comes amidst a surge in diplomatic efforts involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to forge a cease-fire.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is making his seventh trip to the region since the outbreak of the war on October 7, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday. He plans to visit Israel and Jordan later in the week, highlighting the intensification of international mediation efforts.

A senior Hamas official indicated optimism about the current truce proposal, provided no new obstacles emerge from Israel. Amidst these discussions, Israel has signaled a potential pause in its planned assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where many Palestinians have sought refuge, if progress towards an agreement is made.

Overnight, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Rafah, which have been a focal point of concern due to the high concentration of civilians. These strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people.

The discussions for a truce also cover conditions such as a permanent ceasefire, the safe return of displaced individuals, a satisfactory prisoner exchange, and an end to the siege in Gaza. In Israel, public pressure is mounting to resolve the hostage situation, with ongoing protests calling for the release of 129 hostages taken by militants on October 7.

On the diplomatic front, Blinken’s visit to Riyadh includes meetings with Arab and European ministers to push for a ceasefire and increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, international criticism regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing, with warnings of impending famine unless significant aid is delivered soon.

The ongoing negotiations and international diplomatic movements suggest a concerted effort to reach a ceasefire that addresses both immediate and longstanding issues in the region.