Egypt is currently considering the postponement of a meeting scheduled to take place next week in Cairo between delegations from Israel and Hamas to discuss a prisoner swap deal, Israeli media reported.
The Arab-speaking Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) quoted unidentified sources as saying that the cancellation of the meeting may be due to political developments in Israel, namely the possible formation of a new government.
An Israeli delegation is expected to head to Cairo next week to discuss the deal with Hamas.
A meeting chaired by Chief of Staff for National Security Meir Ben Shabbat should have been held on Thursday to discuss this issue.
Israel’s approval to discuss reconstruction in Gaza would not be given before the issue of the missing persons and prisoners held by Hamas is discussed, Israeli officials noted.
Egypt has invited Israel, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to hold talks in Cairo and ensure a longstanding ceasefire.
Palestinian factions are also gearing for a comprehensive national dialogue in Egypt next week under the auspices of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
During a visit to Ramallah and Gaza last week, Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief, Abbas Kamel, agreed with Abbas and Palestinian officials along with leaders of Hamas and the Palestinian factions to launch the dialogue in Cairo.
Egypt wants to achieve Palestinian unity, leading to a comprehensive truce in the Palestinian territories, which would allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the launch of a new political process.
A source close to Hamas told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting will take place as scheduled.
Hamas will not hold talks with the Israelis, regardless if they are invited to Cairo or not, the source stressed.
