Israel prepares to send delegation to Cairo to negotiate ceasefire in Gaza

Israel is preparing a delegation that will be sent to Cairo in the coming days to discuss an end to fighting in the Gaza Strip, Israeli and Egyptian officials said on Tuesday.

David Barnea, the head of the Mossad intelligence agency, is considering a trip to the Egyptian capital this week after Arab mediators presented Hamas with a deal over the weekend to release hostages held by the group in exchange for a pause in fighting. Egyptian officials said. An Israeli official said on Tuesday that Israel could send a delegation depending on developments in the negotiations.

Israel said the proposal was the last chance to delay a planned offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which its authorities hope will destroy Hamas’ remaining military units. An Israeli official said preparations for an offensive on Rafah were continuing.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Israel intends to destroy Hamas battalions in Rafah “with or without an agreement”, repeating comments he has made in recent weeks. “The idea that we would stop the war before achieving all its objectives is out of the question,” he told the families of hostages held in Gaza.

Arab mediators pressure militant group Hamas to accept ceasefire terms ahead of an imminent military operation in Rafah. US White House officials also reinforced that the group must accept the proposal and that they are working to reach a pragmatic agreement between both parties. “We will not give up on taking the hostages home and putting a ceasefire in place,” said US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

By Dow Jones Newswires

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