Hamas presses on with truce talks sans Israel

Cairo | Rafah: Hamas said on Monday it was pressing on with talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza despite Israel's decision not to attend, while Washington appeared to take a tougher line in demanding its ally Israel ease the plight of civilians.

The ceasefire talks, which began on Sunday in Cairo, are billed as a final hurdle to establish the first extended ceasefire of the five-month-old war, in time for the Ramadan Muslim fasting month which is expected to begin on Sunday.

Israel has declined public comment on the Cairo talks or its decision not to attend. A source had earlier said Israel would stay away because Hamas had refused its request for a list of names of all hostages it is holding that are still alive, information the militants say they will provide only once terms are agreed.


"Talks in Cairo continue for the second day regardless of whether the occupation's delegation is present in Egypt," a Hamas official told Reuters on Monday.

Washington, which is both Israel's closest ally and a sponsor of the talks, says a deal remains close, with an agreement already effectively agreed by Israel and only awaiting approval from Hamas. "Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal," Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday. "Let's get a ceasefire. Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza."

In a speech signalling an apparent change of tone from the administration of President Joe Biden towards its ally, Harris also used unusually forceful language to call for Israel to do more to alleviate the humanitarian plight of the Gaza Strip. "People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act," she said. "The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.