Cairo talks edge toward Gaza ceasefire deal but hurdles remain

Negotiations in Cairo to secure a ceasefire in Gaza were close to a "significant breakthrough," two Egyptian security sources told Reuters on Monday.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Axios reported an Israeli official denied the breakthrough claim but gave no details.

Egyptian sources said a consensus on a long-term truce was near, yet key issues remain, including Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm. Hamas has rejected calls to lay down its arms.

Talks involved Egyptian and Israeli delegations. Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad and Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer met in Cairo on Monday.

Mediators Egypt and Qatar gave no formal updates. Qatar’s Prime Minister said on Sunday that recent talks in Doha made "some progress," but no agreement was reached. He added that Hamas is willing to release hostages if Israel commits to ending the war, but Israel has not presented a clear plan.

Hamas official Taher Al-Nono said the group was open to a multi-year truce and was seeking mediator support for its offer.

Speaking later in Jerusalem, Dermer reiterated Israel’s goals: dismantling Hamas' military power, ending its rule in Gaza, and ensuring the enclave poses no future threat.

Israel resumed its Gaza offensive on March 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed. About 24 Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza.

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