The U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari governments aim to meet in Cairo this week to finalize a Gaza cease-fire agreement. Intermediaries from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have presented a plan to bridge the remaining gaps in the cease-fire deal that could potentially end the conflict in Gaza. President Joe Biden announced the framework on May 31, and negotiations have been ongoing since then to bring Israel and Hamas to an agreement. The three intermediaries intend to convene in Cairo to conclude the deal as per the terms discussed. The proposed deal includes phases such as a pause in fighting, exchange of hostages, withdrawal of forces, and reconstruction efforts. Biden expressed optimism about the progress in negotiations, and a senior administration official mentioned that finalizing the list of captives and the sequence of their release are key remaining tasks. The official also noted discussions on humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. Despite some opposition, the Biden administration believes the latest proposal aligns with the peace framework outlined earlier. The response to the proposal from Hamas is still pending.
The Doha talks were encouraged by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, but Hamas representatives did not attend last week’s negotiations.
According to senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, “Going to new negotiations allows the occupation to impose new conditions and employ the maze of negotiation to conduct more massacres.”
Palestinians survey the damage following an Israeli military bombardment of a UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) facility in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip on July 14, 2024. Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images
Control of the Philadelphi Corridor in the Gaza Strip could be a sticking point in the negotiations. The Israeli government has suggested retaining control of the corridor post-war, while Hamas negotiators insist on a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including the corridor.
A senior Biden administration official did not directly address who would control the corridor after the cease-fire but mentioned, “I think that issue is moving the right way.”
Reuters contributed to this article.
