An unexpected dispute between Israel and Egypt complicates negotiations with the Palestinian group Hamas, reports Focus. The reason for the tension is Israel's demand to establish permanent control over the southern border between Gaza and Egypt, which provoked a sharp reaction from Egypt, which categorically denies the existence of underground smuggling routes under the so-called. Philadelphia corridor used by Hamas.
An Israeli delegation is currently negotiating a ceasefire agreement in Cairo, an Israeli government spokesman said. According to sources, a US delegation has also arrived in Cairo to continue the talks.
Citing a member of the Israeli delegation, the Haaretz newspaper said the negotiating team was preparing for a possible summit on Sunday if "Hamas shows signs of movement.
Egypt, Qatar and the US act as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, as the two countries do not negotiate directly with each other. Part of the negotiation process also includes discussing the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Negotiations, however, have been hampered by the unexpected dispute between Israel and Egypt. The Israeli authorities insist on establishing permanent control over the southern border between Gaza and Egypt.
According to the Israeli military, several Hamas tunnels run under the Philadelphia Corridor, which Israel insists on monitoring to prevent arms smuggling. Egypt, for its part, denies the existence of such underground smuggling routes.
"There is a crisis of mistrust between Israel and Egypt,”, retired Israeli general Israel Ziv admitted to an American newspaper.