Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday that Israel’s negotiators, sent to Cairo for truce talks at the behest of US President Joe Biden, have halted their participation due to what he termed “delusional” demands by Hamas. The ceasefire discussions, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza and securing the release of over 100 Israeli hostages, have yet to yield any tangible outcomes.
During a press conference, Netanyahu explained the decision not to engage in further talks, citing unrealistic expectations from Hamas, including ending the war while maintaining their power, the release of thousands of prisoners from Israeli jails, and demands concerning Jerusalem’s contested holy site known as the Temple Mount to Jews and al-Aqsa to Muslims.
Netanyahu added: “We got nothing except for delusional demands from Hamas.” According to Netanyahu, Israeli representatives in Cairo “sat and listened and there was no change. I wanted to say not a millimeter – but there was not a nanometer of change.”
With no progress in negotiations, Netanyahu underscored the importance of direct, unconditional discussions for any potential statehood agreement with the Palestinians. He reaffirmed Israel’s stance against international pressures and unilateral recognitions of a Palestinian state, labeling such actions as rewards for terrorism.