Israel reported to boycott ceasefire talks in Cairo
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud
CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) -Israel boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive, an Israeli newspaper reported.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, billed as a possible final hurdle before an agreement that would halt the fighting for six weeks. But by early evening there was no sign of the Israelis.
«There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo,» Ynet, the online version of Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, quoted unidentified Israeli officials as saying. «Hamas refuses to provide clear answers and therefore there is no reason to dispatch the Israeli delegation.»
Washington has insisted the ceasefire deal is close and should be in place in time to halt fighting by the start of Ramadan, a week away. But the warring sides have given little sign in public of backing away from previous demands.
After the Hamas delegation arrived, a Palestinian official told Reuters the deal was «not yet there». From the Israeli side, there was no official comment.
One source briefed on the talks had said on Saturday that Israel could stay away from Cairo unless Hamas first presented its full list of hostages who are still alive. A Palestinian source told Reuters Hamas had so far rejected that demand.
In past negotiations Hamas has sought to avoid discussing the wellbeing of individual hostages until after terms for their release are set.
A U.S. official told reporters on Saturday: «The path to a ceasefire right now literally at this hour is straightforward. And there's a deal on the table. There's a framework deal.»
Israel had agreed to the framework and it was now up to Hamas to respond,
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