Description: Sources close to the ongoing negotiations in Cairo regarding Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza have reported significant breakthroughs as crucial impasses were surmounted. Cairo has reportedly hosted Egyptian and Israeli diplomatic and intelligence delegations where a reported consensus regarding the cessation of hostilities was reached, despite the ongoing obstacles that were yet to be hammered out. Israeli officials have denounced the reports and signaled no developments of any importance in the last round of talks, as Prime Minister Netanyahu announced another wave of military expansion within the Gaza Strip. The breakthroughs allegedly revolved around the complete return of hostages by Hamas in return for an agreement of a prolonged ceasefire with Israel that would span from 5 to 7 years.
Impact: Conflicting signals from both Israel on the one and Egypt on the other side, signify that crucial negotiating obstacles are yet to be resolved, and no constructive progress has been made in securing a potential ceasefire. Previously, Israel upended the ceasefire agreement launching barrages of attacks on Gaza leaving scores of civilians dead under pretexts of targeting high level Hamas members. Israel continues to exploit their military superiority in the region and aims to annex both Gaza and the West Bank within national borders as they continue the expulsion of Palestinians from the region. Hamas has repeatedly signaled their readiness to agree to a ceasefire with repeated proposals communicated through the mediating group. Israel is skeptical, with concerns that Hamas would exploit the ceasefire to rearm and regroup which would enable the terrorist organization to reclaim control over the enclave. With no concrete resolutions or proposals in sight, the war is set to continue and cause an even worse humanitarian and security crisis in the region.