By Janet Ekstract -ISTANBUL – On Tuesday, CNN was informed by a Hamas source that the next 24 hours is crucial to see whether a credible hostage and ceasefire deal is possible during ongoing talks taking place in Cairo. The source told CNN: “There is clear and strong determination among the mediators to reach ceasefire understandings and begin an exchange process to release prisoners from both sides, and bring in food, supplies, medical and oil supplies.” The CIA Director Bill Burns and Mossad Chief David Barnea are in Cairo meeting with Qatari and Egyptian officials to broker what could be a weeks-long ceasefire to free hostages being held captive in Gaza. According to a senior official who spoke to CNN, the talks are moving forward though not as quickly as might have been hoped. The talks have been “difficult” according to officials with a deal still not firmed up.According to the latest reports, a diplomat close to the talks told CNN that current attempts to broker a deal are focused around a six-week pause that includes guarantees that negotiations will continue toward a permanent ceasefire. The diplomat told the news outlet that more work must be done to get to this point while characterizing the Cairo talks as critical in removing gaps between the two sides.
Photo : AA
