Hope fades for Israeli-Hamas cease-fire as holy month of Ramadan nears: Updates

Negotiators for Hamas left Cairo without a cease-fire deal Thursday, apparently ending hopes that a deal could be in place ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha said Israel “refuses to commit to and give guarantees regarding the cease-fire, the return of the displaced and withdrawal from the areas of its incursion.” But he said the talks would resume next week. Ramadan will begin Sunday or Monday depending on the sighting of the moon.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which did not send representatives to the latest round of talks. Israel first wants Hamas to provide detailed information on the hostages. Hamas said the captives are held by multiple groups and no accounting can take place until a cease-fire is in place.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his firm stand Thursday, speaking at a military officers school graduation. Netanyahu, in a translation from the Times of Israel, vowed to eliminate the “murderous regime of Hamas, eliminate terrorists, destroy tunnels” and pursue the perpetrators of the Oct. 7 attack while doing everything possible to liberate the more than 100 hostages believed to be held in Gaza.

Source » msn.com