As negotiations continue in Cairo for a ceasefire in Gaza, attended by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns, a knowledgeable source revealed positive signs. The source indicated there are indications of a potential agreement that could end seven months of bloody conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to the Egyptian news channel Cairo News.
**"Points of Disagreement"**
It was noted that indirect negotiations are ongoing today to address the "points of disagreement." The source added that both Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine are participating in discussions, highlighting that the Popular Front agreed to amend a phase of the ceasefire.
**"Return to Calm"**
Furthermore, it was revealed that the Deputy Secretary-General of the Popular Front, Jamil Mazhar, adjusted a clause related to the ceasefire to state "return to sustained calm leading to a permanent ceasefire." This clause is set to be implemented over the stages of the agreement within 135 days. It was considered a "concession" on the condition for the initial phase, with the source noting that Israel removed the phrase "permanent ceasefire," leaving only "sustained," allowing it to return at any time without commitment.
**What's the Difference?**
The distinction between permanent and sustained is often not clear, according to some legal experts. The term "sustained" can typically be interpreted in multiple ways, carrying a flexible concept that may permit a return to conflict under certain conditions.
This came after Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas's political bureau in Qatar, stated late Wednesday that the movement would not go further than the ceasefire proposal it accepted last Monday, which includes the release of some Israeli prisoners held in Gaza and Palestinian women and children detained in Israel. He argued that "Israel is not serious about reaching an agreement and is using negotiations as a cover for invading Rafah and occupying the crossing."
However, he emphasized that "Hamas insists on its position communicated to the mediators to accept their proposal." No comment has yet been issued from Israel, which declared on Monday that the three-phase proposal accepted by Hamas was unacceptable, as it includes lenient conditions. Meanwhile, the United States stated on Tuesday that Hamas's amendments to the ceasefire proposal could help overcome the stalemate in negotiations.
It is noteworthy that delegations from Hamas, Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been meeting in Cairo since last Tuesday to reach an agreement that restores calm to devastated Gaza and facilitates a prisoner exchange between the sides. Previously, Hamas insisted that any agreement must stipulate a permanent end to the war, with an international guarantee for Israel's implementation and commitment to this condition, which has been publicly rejected by several Israeli officials in recent days. Additionally, Tel Aviv has insisted on the removal of Hamas from authority and its non-return to power in the Gaza Strip, without providing a clear plan for the future governance of Gaza.
