New York Times: In contrast to American optimism, negotiations face the risk of a dead end

Washington-Ma'an- The New York Times commented on the optimism that the administration of US President Joe Biden is trying to spread regarding the ongoing negotiations to conclude a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, at a time when "Israel" and Hamas say that "the major differences remain unresolved." The American newspaper said that the Biden administration "is once again putting its diplomatic weight behind efforts to break the deadlock in negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire to end the 10-month-old war in Gaza. American officials expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement." The newspaper quoted officials familiar with the talks as saying that under the new American proposal, "Israeli forces will be able to continue their patrols on part of the Gaza border with Egypt, albeit in reduced numbers." But this solution 'is likely to be unworkable for Hamas,' and 'Egypt has also expressed strong objections to a long-term Israeli presence in that area,' according to the New York Times. Cairo stressed that it would not accept the presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, which Egyptian officials say "could pose a threat to national security and is likely to anger Egyptian public opinion." In a sign of Egypt's frustration, "state media has stepped up its rhetoric against Israel in recent days, accusing it of trying to provoke a fight with Egypt over the passage, in order to delay progress on a ceasefire in Gaza," the newspaper reported. Another obstacle is that during the ceasefire talks that ended last Friday, American officials also requested that in-depth talks on Israel's request to 'screen' Palestinian refugees returning to northern Gaza be postponed, according to officials familiar with the talks. Accordingly, 'the talks now appear to be in danger of reaching another dead end,' while two Israeli officials said that the date of the next meeting 'has not yet been set,' and that 'it is unclear where it might be held.' A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to Al-Mayadeen that the new American proposal 'does not include a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,' but rather 'includes the continued occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor while reducing the presence of the Israeli army.' The source added that the proposal "also includes the continued occupation of the Netzarim crossing, and monitoring and controlling the movement of people." However, Hamas stresses that no agreement can pass without a complete ceasefire, the occupation's withdrawal from the Strip, the return of the displaced, and the conclusion of a prisoner exchange deal. Source: Maan News Agency