On Tuesday, Egypt stated that the country, together with the two other mediating countries Qatar and the USA, is working to resume the plan for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
The main goal is to go back to the basic proposal – to have a ceasefire for 60 days, release some of the captured hostages (from Hamas) and Palestinian prisoners (from Israel) and open the influx of humanitarian aid and care to Gaza without restrictions or conditions, said Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdeldatty to reporters in the capital Cairo.
Hamas has arrived in Cairo
But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it's now too late.
I think it's behind us, he says in an interview with the Israeli TV channel i24, which was broadcast on Tuesday.
I want them all. The release of all hostages, both alive and dead, that's the stage we're in, he says in the interview.
According to a statement from Hamas, early on Wednesday, a delegation from the group has arrived in Cairo for "preliminary talks" with Egyptian officials, reports AFP.
Hamas is still holding around 50 Israelis, who were taken captive in the attack on October 7, 2023, as hostages. About 20 of them are believed to be alive, according to Israel.
Strong criticism
Israel's security cabinet voted last week to expand its military offensive and take over Gaza City, which has been met with strong international criticism and condemnation.
The Israeli government has not yet announced a timeline for when its forces will occupy Gaza City, but according to the civil defense in Hamas-ruled Gaza, the Israeli air strikes have already been intensified.
In the interview with i24, Benjamin Netanyahu added that Israel's demands for a ceasefire have not changed: the war will only end when all hostages have returned and Hamas has surrendered, according to the Prime Minister. He has said, however, that Israel will also then maintain an occupation of Gaza, which Netanyahu formulates as an "unlimited security control".
Hamas has long called for an agreement but has said that the group will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for the release of the Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, a lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group has refused to lay down its arms, which Israel has demanded.
