Latest Israel-Hamas talks end in failure

Journalist of US Axios news website Barak Ravid has announced that the talks between Israel and the radical Palestinian Hamas group held in Cairo on August 3, yielded no results.

“Two Israeli officials told me that the talks the Israeli delegation held in Cairo on August 3 did not lead to a breakthrough and stressed that the negotiations are stalled and a possible hostage and ceasefire deal is far away,” Ravid wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israeli negotiators to travel to Cairo on August 3 to continue ceasefire talks regarding the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel’s demands remain unchanged from those proposed on May 27, while "Hamas is calling for numerous modifications."

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also noted that Israel views Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, as the main obstacle to reaching an agreement, rather than Netanyahu himself. Earlier, Axios reported, citing two American officials, that US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Netanyahu, urged Israel to show restraint and work towards a ceasefire deal.

Washington is concerned that the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh could derail ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Haniyeh was the primary negotiator with Qatar and Egypt regarding the deal with Israel.

Haniyeh was killed in Tehran on July 31. Hamas has accused Israel.

Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for the killing. However, Hamas has previously stated that both the US and Israeli governments are responsible for Haniyeh's death.