Mediators hopeful ceasefire deal can be achieved

The US, Qatar and Egypt mediators are hopeful that that a ceasefire deal would be achieved even as the war between Israel and Hamas reaches its fourth month.

Hamas senior official Khalil Al-Hayya is due to arrive in Cairo for the talks and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is optimistic over negotiations, Reuters reported.

Israeli Prime Minister has already rejected Hamas offer, calling it “delusional”.

“Surrendering to the delusional demands of Hamas … will not only not bring the release of the hostages, it will invite another massacre. It will invite a grave disaster for the state of Israel that none of our citizens is willing to accept,” the Israeli leader told reporters yesterday.

“Continued military pressure is a necessary condition for the release of the hostages,” Netanyahu said.

Blinken is meeting the Israelis today, including family members of hostages still held in Gaza.

Hamas had offered a ceasefire proposal plan over a period of 4 1/2 months.