Israeli officials report progress in Egypt-hosted talks for prisoner swap with Hamas

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli officials on Tuesday reported progress in Egypt-hosted talks aimed at reaching a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap with Hamas.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing officials, said progress had been made on important issues during a visit by the head of the Shin Bet security service, Ronen Bar, to the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

It, however, did not provide any details about these important issues.

Bar returned to Israel early Tuesday from Egypt.

An Israeli official, however, called for caution, predicting “complicated negotiations" with Hamas.

Bar and Mossad chief David Barnea are set to fly to Qatar on Wednesday to attend a four-party meeting with Egypt and the US to explore ways of advancing Gaza cease-fire talks.

For months, efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate an agreement between Israel and Hamas for a hostage exchange and cease-fire have been hampered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of Hamas' call to halt hostilities.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

More than 38,200 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 88,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Nine months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala