Hamas And Egypt Continue Negotiations On The Armistice Of The Gaza Conflict Without The Presence Of Israel

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The militant group Hamas and Egyptian mediators said on Monday they were continuing negotiations in Cairo to reach a ceasefire of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, although no representative of Israel, with the United States again urging a ceasefire, release of hostages and access to humanitarian aid.

The ceasefire negotiations, which began on Sunday, are considered the last hurdle in an attempt to reach an extension of the first ceasefire of the five months-long war, ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan which is predicted to begin on Sunday.

"Talks in Cairo continue for a second day, regardless of whether the occupation delegation is present in Egypt," a Hamas official told Reuters.

Israel declined to comment publicly on negotiations in Cairo. A source told Reuters they would not give permission because Hamas refused to provide a list of hostages taken on October 7 and still alive. According to the Palestinian militants who control Gaza, they will only give it after they agree to the terms.

Meanwhile, two Egyptian security sources said mediators were in contact with Israel, so negotiations could continue even though they were not present.

A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said the discussions were still "uncomfortable", as Israel adhered to its request to a temporary ceasefire to release hostages, while Hamas sought war guarantees would not be repeated.

Officials from Hamas, Egypt and Qatar started the second round of negotiations on Monday evening, Hamas sources said.

In Washington, President Joe Biden's Administration says a temporary ceasefire is critical to a hostage-taking deal and urges Hamas to accept the requirements currently offered.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters the United States still hoping to reach a ceasefire agreement for hostages by the start of Ramadan, but Hamas has yet to agree.

"Israel bears the responsibility here to do more," Kirby said, repeating the unusual loud language Vice President Kamala Harris used on Sunday.

The discussed proposal envisions a ceasefire of about 40 days, in which militants will release about 40 of the more than 100 hostages they still hold in exchange for about 400 prisoners from Israeli prisons.

Israel will withdraw from some areas, more humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza, and residents will be allowed to return to their homes.

However, the deal does not appear to directly answer Hamas' request to end the war permanently. It also does not complete the fate of more than half of the remaining hostages, Israeli men excluded from this agreement and previous agreements that included women, children, parents and injured people.

Israel says they will not end the war until Hamas is eradicated. Meanwhile, Hamas said it would not release all of its hostages without an agreement ending the war.

Egyptian security sources said mediators were trying to bridge the gap by providing assurances to Hamas regarding future peace negotiations and to Israel regarding the safety of the hostages.