Members of the Israeli negotiating team regarding the discussions aimed at reaching a calm in the Gaza Strip, and a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel, will ask the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the “war cabinet” to expand his powers.

This came according to what the Walla news website reported, citing two Israeli officials, in a report in which it indicated that the negotiating team’s request will be made next Thursday, in the cabinet meeting.

The Israeli negotiating team will request this “in an attempt to break the impasse in the talks,” according to the report.

Walla quoted a high-ranking Israeli official as saying that Hamas had made several concessions in recent weeks, such as reducing the number of prisoners it demands to be released, and removing the preconditions regarding ending the war and withdrawing Israeli army forces from the Gaza Strip.

The same official added that one of the estimates of the Israeli negotiating team is that Hamas has exhausted its ability to compromise at this stage, especially since Israel has not made more “concessions” on its part, beyond the proposal that was presented in the French capital, Paris, about two weeks ago.

The report quoted another Israeli official as saying, “Members of the negotiating team claim that it is necessary to abandon Israel’s current positions and go to the negotiations with updated positions that will make it possible to reach an agreement.”

The official pointed out that "the political level; Netanyahu, (his security minister, Yoav) Gallant, and (the minister in the 'war cabinet', Benny) Gantz, do not agree with them (with the negotiating team)."

This comes while the talks hosted by Cairo, which brought together Hamas and mediators, with the aim of reaching an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners with Israel, did not lead to a significant breakthrough on Tuesday, days before the month of Ramadan.

The head of the Hamas political department in Gaza, Bassem Naim, said in statements reported by Reuters this afternoon that the movement had presented its proposal for a ceasefire agreement to the mediators during two days of talks, and is now awaiting a response from the Israelis, who were absent from this round.

The Hamas leader added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “does not want an agreement, and the ball is now in the Americans’ court” to pressure him to reach an agreement. Regarding Israel’s request to provide a list of the names and numbers of prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip, Naim explained that this is impossible without a ceasefire.

Hamas leader Naeem confirmed: “We presented in Cairo a clear vision based on red lines that cannot be crossed. Our vision is based on a comprehensive and declared ceasefire with international guarantees, even if it is implemented in stages. We have sufficient flexibility for the exchange deal if the enemy accepts our conditions, and this can be achieved.” Within days if the Americans pressure Netanyahu.”

While Reuters reported that the talks in Cairo “collapsed,” the Israeli side denied this and said that the situation remains as it was, according to what was stated by an official in a briefing to the Israeli media, during which he stressed that Tel Aviv is waiting to receive an official response. 

The Israeli Channel 12 reported on Monday that the Israeli government had waived its requirement to obtain a list of the names of its prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip who are still alive.

The channel quoted one of the officials participating in the Cairo talks as saying that “there is no actual progress” in the talks, in light of Israel’s refusal to respond to Hamas’ conditions, especially the demands related to the withdrawal of Israeli army forces from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas in northern Gaza, and an agreement on a path. To stop the war.