No Sign Of Progress In Ceasefire Negotiations In Gaza, Hamas And Israel Blame Each Other

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

JAKARTA - Conflict ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have yet to show signs of progress when Ramadan will arrive in the coming days, with Hamas and Israel blaming each other for the situation.

Hamas on Thursday abandoned ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, Egypt. That brings the negotiations over four days mediated by Qatar and Egypt, to secure a 40-day ceasefire amid fears of violence could escalate during the fasting month to no avail, after Israel previously boycotted the effort by not sending a delegation.

Egyptian security sources said negotiations, which took place without the Israeli delegation in Cairo, would resume on Sunday, a deadline set by mediators for both sides to respond to a ceasefire proposal.

There was no confirmation from Hamas regarding Egyptian comments on the deadline, and Hamas officials said they had made their stance clear.

Meanwhile, senior US administration officials said Hamas was responsible for finalizing the hostage-taking deal, linking the delay to what they call Hamas, which has so far disagreed to release sick and elderly hostages.

A Hamas official told Reuters the United States was partnering with Israel. Hamas insisted that the ceasefire agreement included a process to end the war altogether.

Hamas said earlier in a statement that their delegation had left Cairo to speak with the leaders of the movement, "with ongoing negotiations and efforts to stop aggression, repatriate refugees and bring aid to our people."

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Israel had "failed" efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his intention on Thursday to continue his military campaign in Gaza, which was launched following the Hamas attack on October 7.

Israel previously said its goal was to destroy Hamas and any ceasefire must be temporary. They also urged that the list of hostages who were still alive and detained by Hamas in Gaza.

"It goes without saying, Israel will do anything to free our hostages. Unfortunately, Hamas is the stumbling block at the moment because it doesn't tell us who is alive and who they are detained," said Israeli government spokesman David Mencer.

The deal Hamas put forward for a ceasefire in Gaza would require Hamas to release some of the hostages he is still holding. Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel will also be released.

Hamas officials say a ceasefire must be carried out before the hostages are released, Israeli forces must leave Gaza and all Gazans must be able to return to the homes of those who have fled.

Hamas said it could not provide a list of surviving hostages without a ceasefire, as the hostages were scattered in the war zone.