Gaza hostage, ceasefire deal reaching a dead end, Israeli official tells ‘Post'

Netanyahu will convene a meeting on the hostage deal in the next several hours with senior officials and the negotiation team.

By AMICHAI STEIN MARCH 1, 2025 19:19 Updated: MARCH 1, 2025 19:58

Chained hostages performance art on Begin Road in Tel Aviv. Sign reads: "First of ALL the hostages," March 1, 2025.. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

No progress has been made in the ceasefire talks in Cairo, and Israel is reaching a dead end, a source familiar with the details of the negotiations told The Jerusalem Post Saturday.

There were lots of technical discussions but no results, the source added.

Israel and mediating countries believe that only the Trump administration can perhaps break the talks out of the impasse.

"When Whitkoff arrives, things may happen. Everyone is waiting for him," the source said.

American business person Steve Witkoff makes remarks next to US President-elect Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US January 7, 2025 (illustration). (credit: Canva, REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA, Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a meeting on the hostage deal in the next several hours with senior officials and the negotiation team, an Israeli official told the Post.

Hamas refusing Israeli proposal to extend phase one of deal

Hamas is refusing the idea of extending the first phase of the deal, Israeli officials said.

The Israeli and Qatari delegations arrived in Cairo on Thursday. The delegation is led by Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, as well as "M," an anonymous officer from the Shin Bet. M is the former deputy of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who is reportedly no longer part of the hostage deal negotiating team.