Negotiations are set to resume in Cairo on Sunday between Israel and Hamas, following a demand from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza. The talks, reported by Egyptian media, come as protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to erupt in various cities in Israel.
The demonstrations have been fueled by a desire for a deal to bring back captives held by Palestinian armed groups for over 175 days. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are working towards a captive swap deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, following a brief pause in fighting late last year.
Despite optimism from mediators, there are significant challenges and non-negotiable demands from both sides. Hamas is pushing for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israel insists on defeating Hamas before considering an end to the conflict.
In a joint statement, the French, Egyptian, and Jordanian foreign ministers called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all captives. They also supported a two-state solution and urged Israel to open its borders to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where thousands have been killed and many more displaced since the start of the conflict.
The UN Security Council recently passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, but the fighting persists with Israel continuing to launch attacks across Gaza. Despite the challenges, the resumption of negotiations in Cairo is seen as a positive step towards ending the ongoing conflict.