U.S. and Israeli delegations began new negotiations in Cairo on Thursday to address unresolved issues in a truce proposal aimed at ending over 10 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, according to two Egyptian security sources.
Egyptian and U.S. officials have been discussing compromises on security arrangements for the border between Egypt and Gaza, which is a key concern following an Israeli military withdrawal demanded by Hamas. The proposals are expected to be presented to Israeli officials later today, with a Qatari delegation joining the talks on Friday.
Egypt, along with the United States and Qatar, has played a central role in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, as well as for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Major points of contention include Israeli demands to maintain troop deployments along the Netzarim Corridor and in the Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt. Egypt and Hamas are calling for Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, where Israeli troops advanced in May, citing concerns over arms smuggling into Gaza.
The Cairo meetings follow a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which did not lead to a breakthrough. The conflict, which began on October 7 with a Hamas-led incursion into Israel, has resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages taken, according to Israeli figures. Palestinian health authorities report over 40,000 deaths in Gaza due to Israel’s military response.
On Thursday, Israeli tanks advanced further into Gaza as U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite a ceasefire agreement.