Egypt Alters Gaza Ceasefire Terms, Catching Negotiators Off Guard

Egyptian intelligence made some changes to a ceasefire proposal that Israel had agreed to earlier this month. This ultimately caused the deal to fall through, which could have led to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and a temporary end to the fighting in Gaza, according to three individuals who were part of the discussions.

The ceasefire agreement that Hamas announced on May 6 was not the same as what the Qataris or the Americans thought had been presented to Hamas for a final review, as per the sources.

Egyptian intelligence made changes that were not previously reported. These changes caused anger and conflict among officials from the US, Qatar, and Israel, and stalled ceasefire negotiations.

According to a source, "We were all deceived."

CIA Director Bill Burns, who has been leading the American efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement, was in the region when he found out that the Egyptians had modified the terms of the deal. Burns felt upset and embarrassed, as it seemed like he was out of the loop or had not informed the Israelis about the changes.

According to a source, the usually calm and gentle Burns was furious about the situation.

A CIA spokesperson declined to comment.

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ICC is seeking arrest warrants for war crimes against Sinwar and Netanyahu. According to three sources who spoke with CNN, the changes were made by Ahmed Abdel Khalek, a senior Egyptian intelligence official. Abdel Khalek, who is a senior deputy to Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, has been working alongside Burns in Egypt's mediation efforts for the ceasefire talks.

Abdel Khalek gave different messages to the Israelis and Hamas during the negotiations. According to a source familiar with the discussions, more of Hamas' demands were added to the initial agreement that Israel had already agreed to, in order to gain approval from Hamas. However, the other mediators and Israelis were not informed about these changes.

The source mentioned that Hamas was informing their supporters that a deal would be finalized the following day.

All parties involved believed that the Egyptians had given them the document that Israel had approved, and that the US and Qatar were also informed about it.

However, according to another source, the Egyptians actually tried to mix together the original agreement and Hamas's reaction.

The Egyptian government did not respond to a request for comment.

A deal was close at hand

A document from Hamas obtained by CNN details the framework they agreed to, which includes achieving a permanent ceasefire and a "sustainable calm" in the second phase of the three-stage deal. Israel has been hesitant to discuss ending the war until Hamas is defeated and all remaining hostages are released.

Now, three weeks later, as ceasefire talks remain at a standstill, there are concerns about Egypt's motives. Egypt has long been a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, especially with Hamas members in Gaza.

Israeli army tanks are seen in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Israeli army tanks are seen in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

More than a week later, a group of Egyptian negotiators traveled to Israel in late April to finalize a framework. This framework aimed to secure the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the repatriation of Palestinian prisoners.

Negotiations had been ongoing for months since the last break in the fighting happened in early December. There was a growing feeling of hope that a deal was near as Israel showed willingness to make more concessions than before. They were open to releasing more Palestinian prisoners, accepting fewer hostages, and allowing Gazans in the southern part of the enclave to return home to the north without restrictions.

US officials praised the generosity of Israel's proposed framework, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling it "extraordinarily generous."

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After learning about Egyptian freelancing, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reportedly told Israel's intelligence service Mossad that Egypt was solely responsible, according to sources.

Al Thani and CIA Director Burns worked together to revise the proposal and include elements that they knew Israel would need.

"It doesn't make sense," a senior Biden administration official commented on the puzzling decision by Egyptian intelligence to proceed without consulting others, especially when it comes to seeking input from all parties involved.

In an effort to cater to the needs and concerns of Hamas, adjustments were made to the plan.

After returning from Israel and discussing with Hamas, the Egyptians realized that Hamas did not support the agreement Israel was proposing. As a result, the Egyptian official made important revisions to persuade Hamas to agree.

On May 6, before Hamas publicly announced their agreement to the proposal, an Egyptian source informed CNN that Egypt had received Hamas' response and communicated it to the Israeli side.

The source mentioned that various options and possibilities were suggested to address the primary disagreement concerning the conclusion of the war. The language in the agreement regarding ending the war has consistently been the most challenging issue during the negotiations.

But what Hamas sent back, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “was very far from Israel’s core demands.”

It wasn’t long before the discussions stalled.

Negotiators, including Burns, went back to Cairo for another round of talks with Hamas, but Israel and Qatar only sent teams without senior officials. This suggests that a deal may not be as close as initially thought.

CIA Director Bill Burns

CIA Director Bill Burns

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

Two days after Hamas responded on May 6, Burns went back to Washington. Sources informed CNN that the talks were put on hold.

There was a hope among mediators that a break in the fighting would stop or at least delay a major attack on Rafah by Israel. However, military actions by Israel in Rafah are increasing despite objections from the Biden administration. They fear that these operations will endanger the many civilians who sought refuge there.

If talks were to resume, it is likely that the Qataris would have a more significant role in the next round, according to a second source familiar with the negotiations. Although a restart of the negotiations is not imminent, Egypt would still be expected to play a central role. This is because of their close proximity to Hamas and Israel's preference for Egypt over Qatar.

The discussions would continue to focus on a broad framework. This framework would involve an initial stage where up to 33 Israeli hostages would be released gradually over a period of at least 6 weeks. Hamas has been advocating for the inclusion of the bodies of deceased hostages in the initial release. Additionally, they propose that the first phase should seamlessly transition into a second phase without any breaks. However, both of these positions have been met with resistance from Israel.

US officials believe that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may not be interested in reaching a deal because he believes he is winning. They also suggest that he may think that the more Palestinians suffer, the more the world will turn against Israel. On the other hand, critics of Netanyahu, including families of Israeli hostages, have accused him of prioritizing the removal of Hamas from Gaza over bringing his citizens home.

Editor's P/S:

The failed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as outlined in the article, highlights the complex and challenging nature of peace negotiations in the Middle East. The Egyptian intelligence's unilateral changes to the proposal, without consulting other mediators like the US and Qatar, undermined the trust and cooperation necessary for a successful deal.

The article also raises concerns about the motivations of the various parties involved. Some observers suggest that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may not be genuinely interested in a ceasefire, while critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuse him of prioritizing political objectives over the safety of Israeli hostages. The international community must continue to pressure all parties to prioritize peace and human life over political calculations. By engaging in transparent and inclusive negotiations, there is a greater chance of reaching a lasting and equitable solution to the conflict.