However, Hamas and Jihad officials later denied the sources' claims of talks. Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, added: "There can be no talks without a complete cessation of attacks."
Fighters of the Islamic Jihad group. Photo: AFP
“The Hamas leadership is aiming with all its might to put a complete end” to Israel’s bloody offensive, he said, referring to the more than 20,000 Palestinians killed in the 11-week war in Gaza. A senior Jihad official familiar with the Cairo talks echoed al-Rishq’s denial.
Egyptian sources said both Hamas and Jihad, which are holding separate talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo, have refused to make any concessions beyond the possible release of more hostages in Gaza.
A Jihad delegation led by leader Ziad al-Nakhala is currently in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on prisoner exchange offers and other issues.
An official in the Jihad delegation insisted that any prisoner swap must be based on the principle of "all for all", meaning the release of all hostages held by Hamas and Jihad in Gaza in exchange for the release of all Palestinians held in Israel.
Before the war, there were 5,250 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, but the number has now risen to around 10,000 as Israel has arrested thousands more in the West Bank and Gaza since October 7, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Association.
Bui Huy (according to Reuters)
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