An Israeli official said visiting CIA Director Bill Burns and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Wednesday “the possibility” of suspending military operations in Gaza’s Rafah in exchange for Hamas freeing hostages.
Netanyahu and the US spy chief, who has been involved in mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas war, met in Jerusalem as part of Washington’s latest efforts to secure a truce in the Gaza Strip.
“The two discussed the possibility of Israel pausing the operation in Rafah in exchange for hostage release,” the Israeli official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The meeting came as truce negotiations resumed in Cairo, after Hamas on Monday announced it had accepted a ceasefire proposal from mediators Egypt and Qatar.
Israel has defied international objections and sent tanks into Rafah, the territory’s southernmost city on the Egyptian border, which is packed with Palestinian civilians sheltering.
Israeli forces had seized control of the Palestinian side of the key Rafah border crossing, which is the main conduit for aid into the besieged territory, overnight from Monday to Tuesday.
Israel’s incursion into eastern Rafah came after Hamas said it had accepted a truce proposal – one Israel said was “very far” from what its negotiators had previously agreed to.
On Wednesday, talks aimed at agreeing on terms for a truce in the seven-month war were held in the Egyptian capital “with all sides present,” according to the Egyptian state-linked media.
Ongoing negotiations
The United States, Israel’s close ally and top provider of military assistance, confirmed negotiations were underway.
Mediation efforts had previously stalled as Hamas has insisted on a lasting ceasefire, while Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to destroy the group’s remaining forces in Rafah.
Israel and Hamas subsequenty requested new modifications to the Gaza truce proposal on Wednesday, according to sources cited by Al Hadath, with Israel insisting on an international supervisory force in Gaza, a clause which Hamas allegedly refused.
Hamas reportedly demanded assurances preventing Israel from maintaining its control over the Rafah crossing, the same source reported.
Statements from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that the Gaza talks are still ongoing, claiming that the gap between the two warring parties can still be bridged.
“A close assessment of the two sides’ position suggests they should be able to close… the remaining gaps, so we’re going to continue to support that process,” Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One.
On the other hand, Israeli officials stated to The Times of Israel that they see no indication of a breakthrough in the talks mediated by Egypt.
However, the official added that the Israeli delegation, composed of mid-level negotiators, will remain in Cairo for the time being.
