The discussions between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and hostage release are currently stalled and won’t resume until after Iran carries out its promised retaliation against Israel for the alleged assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and until Hamas appoints a new politburo chief, according to two officials with knowledge of the situation, as reported by The Times of Israel.
The Iranian retaliation could happen as soon as Monday night, and Hamas is expected to announce a new leader in the coming days, the sources indicate.
Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US will then attempt to restart negotiations, but they anticipate the process will be significantly more challenging following Haniyeh’s assassination. The sources also note that Hamas has not expressed any willingness to resume talks until a new leader is chosen.
An Israeli delegation was in Cairo over the weekend primarily for bilateral discussions with Egypt about the IDF’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing, one of the officials mentions. They clarify that Hamas was not involved in these discussions, even indirectly, and no progress was achieved.
Qatar did not send any representatives to the Saturday meeting since it was not focused on the hostage issue, the officials add.
{Matzav.com Israel}
