Israel Hayom reported that negotiations are not progressing since the ceasefire was announced between Hamas and Israel.
A high-ranking Egyptian intelligence official familiar with the matter told the newspaper that Egyptian intelligence officials are accusing Israeli officials of stalling Cairo’s efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.
They are also preventing progress in the prisoner exchange deal and the reconstruction of the Strip, according to the official.
The political situation in Israel does not facilitate the process, as it currently has no government that takes decisions, and all discussions are “nothing but empty talk,” the source told the right-wing newspaper.
The Egyptian official explained that Israel is addressing the talks and rebuilding Gaza on two separate paths, which is delaying the launch of indirect talks with Hamas, mediated by the Egyptian General Intelligence.
The first track addresses the political-security situation and is established by the Prime Minister’s office in cooperation with the Ministry of Security, and affiliated political and senior security and intelligence officials. While the second is a diplomatic track led by the Foreign Ministry.
Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi met with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo.
An Egyptian diplomat told the newspaper that the discussions during the meeting between Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz and senior officials, contradicted Ashkenazi’s messages to Shoukry.
“It is very difficult to negotiate in this way, and we very much hope that Israel wakes up,” he said, adding that the new government that will be formed will also take several weeks to engage in decisions, and “unfortunately there is not enough time for such procrastination and delay.”
The newspaper's claims confirm similar reports which addressed the delay in the discussions to achieve a comprehensive truce in the Palestinian territories. However, a number of top Israeli officials believe the prisoners swap deal can be resolved soon.
The cautious optimism comes after Israel changed its policy at the end of the war.
Israel stipulated linking the truce to progress in the file of the soldiers captured by Hamas, and even the adoption of a basic humanitarian policy only until their return.
As part of this policy, Israel only allows the entry of medical equipment, food, medicine and fuel into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Patients are allowed to travel through the Erez crossing for treatment.
At this stage, according to the newspaper, Israel is also preventing the export of goods from the coastal enclave, which is an important issue not only for Gaza merchants but also for a significant number of Israeli companies.
Israel is justifying its decision by claiming there is no humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip after the war.
