A Palestinian youth walks amidst the rubble, following overnight Israeli strikes. AFP
“Negotiations held in Cairo to reach a ceasefire in Gaza were on the verge of a significant breakthrough," two Egyptian security sources told Reuters on Monday.
According to Reuters, the sources said there was a consensus on a long-term ceasefire in the Gaza, yet some sticking points remain, including Hamas arms.
On Monday, Hassan Rashad, the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service (GIS), was set to meet in Cairo with an Israeli negotiation team, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, according to Al-Qahera News.
The meeting follows a recent visit by a Hamas delegation to Egypt to discuss efforts toward a ceasefire and de-escalation in Gaza.
Citing high-level security sources, the news channel said Egypt's intelligence chief had also participated earlier in the Doha discussions with Qatari, American, and Israeli officials aimed at maintaining the Gaza truce.
The sources revealed that Rashad’s visit to Qatar coincided with the presence of the heads of the Israeli Mossad and US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who were also in the country for related negotiations.
These talks come as part of the ongoing intensive mediation efforts led by Egypt and Qatar to restore the ceasefire deal in Gaza, which Israel unilaterally ended on 18 March.
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