Israel ‘boycotts’ truce talks over hostage list

Cairo/Rafah, March 3

Israel boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive, an Israeli newspaper reported.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, billed as a possible final hurdle before an agreement that would halt the fighting for six weeks. But by the evening there was no sign of the Israelis.

“There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo,” Ynet, the online version of Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, quoted unidentified Israeli officials as saying. “Hamas refuses to provide clear answers and therefore there is no reason to dispatch the Israeli delegation.” Washington has insisted the ceasefire deal is close and should be in place in time to halt fighting by the start of Ramadan, a week away. But the warring sides have given little sign in public of backing away from previous demands.

After the Hamas delegation arrived, a Palestinian official said the deal was “not yet there”. There was no official comment from Israel.

One source briefed on the talks had said Israel could stay away from Cairo unless Hamas first presented a full list of hostages who are still alive, a demand that a Palestinian source said Hamas had so far rejected that demand.

A US official on Saturday said, “The path to a ceasefire right now literally at this hour is straightforward. And there’s a deal on the table. There’s a framework deal.” Israel had agreed to the framework and it was now up to Hamas to respond, he said. — Reuters

Netanyahu rival makes ‘unauthorised’ visit to US

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