Jerusalem: In a significant development, Israel has pulled out of the peace talks in Cairo, which were aimed at ending the ongoing war and securing the release of more than 100 hostages in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited Hamas’ “delusional demands” and the absence of new proposals as the reasons for this decision, dealing a severe blow to the negotiations.
The Cairo talks had been extended for three more days, but the breakthrough Israel was hoping for did not materialize. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement, asserting that Israel had not received any new proposal from Hamas regarding the release of hostages. He emphasized that a change in Hamas’ positions would be crucial for the advancement of the talks. Netanyahu further stated that “strong military pressure and firm negotiations” were key to the successful release of captives.
On the other side, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan blamed Netanyahu for the failure of the negotiations, claiming Israel’s proposal deviated from the previously agreed-upon terms. Families of the hostages, who have been held by militants in Gaza for over 130 days, expressed deep concern, with some even calling Netanyahu’s decision a “death sentence” for their loved ones.
As tensions escalate, the situation remains volatile, and international efforts continue in search of a peaceful resolution.