As regional tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas, Lebanon, and Syria, Egyptian officials have asserted that Hamas has nothing more to concede in the ongoing negotiations.
“There is nothing new to negotiate, and no further concessions to force Hamas to make,” the Egyptian official told reporters on Saturday.
The source, who is closely involved in the mediation efforts, said the real obstacle lies in “an American-Israeli will to end the war.”
The official criticised US President Donald Trump’s belief that military pressure could yield further concessions from Hamas, describing it as a serious “mistake.”
According to the report, Egypt is supporting a proposal that would secure the release of all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a long-term truce.
However, discussions are also reportedly under way regarding an alternative framework involving a temporary ceasefire lasting less than a year, to be implemented in two distinct phases with guarantees from the United States.
It remains unclear which parties are participating in the talks surrounding the secondary proposal.
Initial details suggest the phased deal would begin with Hamas releasing more than half of the surviving hostages, along with the remains of several deceased captives. While the second phase’s conditions have not yet been disclosed, the preliminary framework also includes an Israeli commitment to complete negotiations that could eventually bring the war to a close.
Meanwhile, Hamas remains firm in its position: it will only agree to a ceasefire if it is permanent and accompanied by a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any plan that would terminate the war before Hamas is fully dismantled, both militarily and politically.
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