The Israeli delegation, which arrived in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon, included members of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the Shin Bet security agency, an Egyptian source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.
In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he instructed the delegation to "remain firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, remain firm on the requirements necessary to ensure Israel's security."
However, he said the ceasefire proposal brokered by mediators from Egypt and Qatar and approved by Hamas on Monday fell short of Israel's mandated requirements.
Egypt is "making every possible effort to reach a comprehensive ceasefire," state-affiliated Al-Qahera News quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying. The source said Egypt was engaged in communication with various parties to deal with the crisis.The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since the Israeli offensive began on October 7 last year.
Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that at least 20 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Rafah since Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict.
"We are at a decisive moment for the fate of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and the entire region," the UN chief said.
“An agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians and hostages and their families in Gaza,” Guterres said.,
Cairo, Doha and Washington brokered a one-week ceasefire between Israel and Hama, ending in late November 2023, that included an exchange between Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he instructed the delegation to "remain firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, remain firm on the requirements necessary to ensure Israel's security."
However, he said the ceasefire proposal brokered by mediators from Egypt and Qatar and approved by Hamas on Monday fell short of Israel's mandated requirements.
Egypt is "making every possible effort to reach a comprehensive ceasefire," state-affiliated Al-Qahera News quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying. The source said Egypt was engaged in communication with various parties to deal with the crisis.The Israeli army on Tuesday launched a military operation in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge since the Israeli offensive began on October 7 last year.
Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that at least 20 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Rafah since Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict.
"We are at a decisive moment for the fate of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and the entire region," the UN chief said.
“An agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians and hostages and their families in Gaza,” Guterres said.,
Cairo, Doha and Washington brokered a one-week ceasefire between Israel and Hama, ending in late November 2023, that included an exchange between Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
