Tuesday night may be decisive
Egyptian media earlier reported “intensive efforts” by Egypt and Qatar to conclude a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Two Egyptian security officials denied that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was traveling to Cairo for talks “at this time,” but said meetings were underway to resolve remaining issues. He said Hamas was primarily seeking guarantees that would lead to an immediate agreement. A comprehensive agreement will be reached later.
Egyptian officials said they felt progress was being made and Tuesday night could be decisive in determining next steps.
POW organizations estimate that there are about 100 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while Israel holds more than 10,000 Palestinians in prisons.
Hamas announced that 33 Israeli prisoners of war were killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.
Mediation efforts led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to reach a ceasefire in Gaza have so far failed as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war.
Israel has been waging a war in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, killing more than 45,000 people, the majority of them women and children.
Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide lawsuit at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
