“When Israel shows its good will, Hamas persists in its extreme positions, including its demand for the withdrawal of our forces from the Gaza Strip, the end of the war and the preservation of Hamas. Israel cannot accept this “, declared Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting.
Egyptian and American mediators have reported signs of compromise in recent days, but the chances of a ceasefire agreement remain intertwined with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without achieving its stated goal of destroying Hamas.
The Egyptian state of Al-Qahera said on Saturday that a consensus had been reached on many of the disputed points, but did not elaborate. Hamas called for a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.
The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials in Gaza, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into a humanitarian crisis unprecedented since the conflict began on October 7, when Hamas attacked the south. of Israel.
A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, played down prospects for an end to the war. The official said Israel would not agree under any circumstances to end the war as part of a deal to release hostages.
