palestine news today

As Hamas goes to Egypt, where do the Gaza truce talks stand?

The negotiations might offer the last chance to stall – if not prevent – a looming Israeli ground offensive in Rafah.

As mediators strive for a resolution, Israel's ongoing bombardment of Rafah is causing significant devastation. These efforts come amid escalating tensions, with the possibility of Israeli military forces launching a ground invasion of the city, which sits on the border with Egypt. Rafah is currently home to 1.5 million Palestinians seeking shelter from the conflict

A senior Hamas delegation is travelling to Egypt for the latest round of negotiations aimed at pausing – if not stopping – Israel’s relentless war on Gaza, even as the prospect of a devastating ground invasion of Rafah in the enclave’s south looms.

Led by Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the delegation will hand in the group’s response to the latest Israeli proposals at talks in Cairo mediated by Qatar and the United States.

What has happened with the talks in April?

Hamas and Israeli officials have been speaking through intermediaries throughout April but with little to show for it in terms of tangible results.

Negotiators were in Cairo on April 7, and while Egyptian sources said some progress was made on a three-stage agreement that would entail an exchange of prisoners leading to a long-term ceasefire, the Palestinian group did not share that assessment.

In late March, Israel proposed that an Arab force could oversee security in Gaza temporarily, but the suggestion was rejected. Hamas has insisted it stands by its fundamental demands: a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unrestricted return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, permission for more aid to enter the enclave and the start of a reconstruction process.

Despite deep differences, both sides have signalled they are eager to work towards a truce.