Victor Ezeja
A meeting for the proposed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas militant group held in Cairo Egypt over the ongoing war in Gaza has ended in a stalemate.
It was hoped that the proposed ceasefire deal spearheaded by Egyptian and Qatari mediators was to last for 40 days starting from next week the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe truce deal was for Hamas to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
A statement by Hamas said its delegation left Cairo on Thursday morning, adding that they were going for a “consultation with the leadership of the movement, with negotiations and efforts continuing to stop the aggression, return the displaced and bring in relief aid to our people.”
According to Hamas, Israel has rejected its requests for the right of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and the total evacuation of Israeli forces from Gazan communities.
According to a BBC report, Israel did not send a delegation to Cairo, saying that it first wanted a list of the surviving hostages who could be released under the ceasefire agreement.
READ ALSO: Israel-Hamas War: US Airdrops Aids In Gaza As Israel Agrees To Cease-fire Framework
There are more than 130 hostages believed to be in Hamas’ captivity. According to Israeli officials, at least 30 of them have passed away.
Around 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails were exchanged for 105 hostages, most of whom were women and children, during the ceasefire that lasted for one week in late November.
In the absence of a new agreement, the likelihood of hostilities escalating further during Ramadan—which, according to the lunar calendar, starts on Sunday or Monday this year—is increased.
Amid reports of additional starving fatalities in Gaza, the US and the UK are putting pressure on Israel to expand the assistance supply. Israel attributes its challenges with aid distribution on the United Nations.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
