A Hamas delegation will visit Egypt in the next "two days, at Egypt's invitation" to try to "save" the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, given that "there are major differences" over the extension of the pact between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group, Egyptian security sources said Monday.
"Differences remain significant, making it uncertain whether an agreement will be reached soon," said the sources, who requested anonymity, without disclosing details about the content or outcome of the talks an Israeli delegation held Sunday in Cairo with Egyptian mediators.
They indicated, however, that Israel "believes that pressure will eventually lead Hamas to accept Israeli proposals," something they warned "is by no means guaranteed."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed Sunday that a negotiating team is in Egypt to discuss the ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip with Egyptian authorities.
That visit came after U.S. Middle East Representative Steve Witkoff presented the parties with a new proposal to extend the ceasefire until at least April 20.
Witkoff's proposal includes opening the crossings to humanitarian aid, provided that Hamas releases at least five live hostages and nine dead hostages on the first day, according to sources cited by the Israeli newspaper. Walla.
However, Hamas announced last Friday that it was willing to release dual-national soldier Edan Alexander, along with the bodies of four other hostages, in order to begin negotiating an end to the ongoing war.
Without going into detail about Hamas's response, Witkoff called it "unacceptable" in an interview with CNN today.
According to sources, Hamas's announced response regarding the release of the Israeli-American soldier and the bodies of four hostages "was acceptable to the United States, but the change came after Israel exerted pressure on the US administration."
The first phase of the ceasefire expired on March 1, and although the war has not resumed, Israel is seeking to pressure Hamas into accepting a settlement.
There are still 59 hostages in the Strip, and only 22 of them are estimated to be alive, including Alexander.