The Israel War Cabinet has approved new guidelines for talks with Hamas on hostages

Tel Aviv, 23 May: New instructions surrounding the “indirect” discussions with Hamas over a ceasefire for hostages have been agreed upon by the Israel War Cabinet. According to sources, the war cabinet has instructed Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and Mossad Chief David Barnea to continue talks for the captives’ release. The relatives of the captives had published a video showing the October 7 kidnapping of five female soldiers from the Nahal Oz camp by Hamas, prompting an urgent meeting of the war cabinet.

Hamas still has at least 128 captives. Egypt, a major player in the “indirect” ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has threatened to step down from its role as mediator after reports that it mismanaged the last round of hostage discussions, which ultimately resulted in their failure. Head of Egypt’s State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, said, “Attempts to cast doubt and offend Egypt’s mediation efforts will only lead to further complications of the situation in Gaza and the entire region and may push Egypt to completely withdraw from its mediation in the current conflict.”

It was alleged that Israel and Hamas have received two independent offers from Cairo. One that was given to Israel was more in line with its demands, while another that was given to Hamas backed those requests. Media sources said that one of the primary organizers of the negotiations, William Burns, the director of the CIA, was enraged by these offers.