Palestinian factions discuss ceasefire in Cairo.. No comprehensive agreement yet

Several Palestinian factions, including the "Hamas" and "Islamic Jihad" movements, the "Popular Front", and the "Democratic Reform Movement", held intensive meetings in Cairo over the past two days as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and exchange prisoners with Israel.

The "Al-Arabiya" website reported from a source in "Islamic Jihad" that "what has been proposed so far is not a comprehensive deal, but attempts to improve the previous paper that includes a temporary truce for 60 days." These meetings coincided with the resumption of indirect negotiations between the two sides through Egyptian and Qatari mediation.

For his part, Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, who visited Doha last Thursday, confirmed that "Israel will not accept any agreement without a comprehensive deal leading to the release of all Israeli prisoners." Earlier, a knowledgeable source reported that Israel rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, while "Hamas" accepted it.

The Palestinian factions confirmed that "their top priority at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire," expressing their "full responsiveness to solution initiatives that meet their demands for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and lifting the siege on Gaza." They also emphasized the "necessity of ensuring the immediate and safe entry of humanitarian and relief aid without obstacles."

It is noteworthy that negotiations for a ceasefire faced setbacks last month, as "Hamas" announced on July 27 that "negotiating is futile in light of the ongoing siege," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his delegation to withdraw from Doha. The United States also decided to withdraw its negotiators from the Qatari capital after Washington rejected "Hamas"'s response, which it deemed "unwilling to reach an agreement."

The new Egyptian efforts to revive negotiations come at a time when the Israeli army is preparing to fully occupy the city of Gaza, amid international condemnation of its control over about 75% of the besieged territory.