The door does not appear to be completely closed.
Hamas would still be “open” to negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, an official close to the Palestinian Islamist movement said on Thursday.
And this despite the rejection of its latest proposals by Israel.
A new round of negotiations between Hamas and the Israelis, with the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, opened in the morning in Cairo, this official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“The Hamas delegation will meet this morning with Egyptian officials, then a delegation from Qatar will join the meetings, and Qataris and Egyptians will try to bring together the points of view of the two parties (
Israeli and Hamas
)” via several rounds of negotiations , explained the official close to Hamas.
“We expect very complicated and difficult negotiations, but Hamas is open to discussions and eager to achieve a ceasefire,” he added.
Blinken still confident despite Israel's rejections
These indirect negotiations aim to obtain a truce in the fighting in the Gaza Strip and an exchange of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and Israeli hostages, for the second time after that of a week in November which allowed the release of 105 hostages in Gaza and 240 Palestinians.
According to the official close to Hamas who spoke to AFP, the discussions will focus on a ceasefire which could last "around six weeks", a first phase where the two parties could discuss an exchange between hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian women and children held in prisons in Israel.
During this first phase, 400 to 500 aid trucks carrying food, medicine and fuel could be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip each day, partly destroyed and in the grip of a serious humanitarian crisis.
This pause in the fighting, which could be renewed, could make it possible to initiate discussions with a view to an agreement providing for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza and a return of the displaced, he added.
“Hamas will insist that Turkey and Russia stand with Egypt, Qatar, the United States and France to ensure that all points of the agreement are respected, including a ceasefire -permanent fire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” he stressed.
Read alsoIsrael-Hamas war: the hope of a truce in Gaza on hold
On Wednesday evening, a few hours after meeting with American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is pleading for a new truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to reject any concession in the negotiations.
He ordered his army to “prepare” the offensive on Rafah, a town in the south of the Gaza Strip where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are massed.
On the eve of leaving Israel on Wednesday evening, Antony Blinken nevertheless estimated that there remained “room for an agreement” on the hostages between Israel and Hamas and called on the Israelis to measure up, both in actions and in speeches. .