Israel Imposes Impossible Conditions in Cairo Negotiations, Demands Transformation of Resistance into Political Parties

Informed Palestinian sources revealed negative developments in the ceasefire negotiations hosted by the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where Israel imposed new conditions described as impossible. The sources explained that these conditions brought the talks back to square one after there had been tangible progress and agreement between Palestinian factions and mediators on comprehensive proposals.

The sources stated that the new Israeli position is to demand the complete transformation of the structure of Palestinian resistance factions into political parties only, and the abolition of any military programs or wings they may have. This request includes the removal of any provisions in the factions' literature related to armed struggle, without Israel offering any reciprocal commitments for a full withdrawal or agreement to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Until Wednesday morning, the negotiations had seen an initial agreement on drafting a statement supported by the US, linking the calming of the Gaza Strip with a comprehensive solution leading to an independent state. This agreement included developing 'Mladenov's paper' to move from the 'disarmament' formula, which Hamas rejected, to the 'weapon containment' formula under the supervision of a national authority responsible for security.

The mechanism agreed upon stipulates that the process of containing weapons will be carried out by the 'National Committee for Gaza Management' gradually and simultaneously with the stages of Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. This solution was reached to overcome the obstacle previously set by Israel, which demanded the disarmament of areas east and west of the 'Green Line' as a prerequisite for any military movement backward.

During the sessions, Palestinian factions expressed serious concerns about the role of local militias receiving direct support from Israeli occupation forces in contact areas. Reports indicated that these groups carried out infiltration and arrest operations against Palestinian citizens, transferring them to Israeli interrogation centers, which threatens any future security stability if their activities continue.

In a related context, Taher Al-Nono, media advisor to the head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, affirmed that the factions had prepared a joint draft for a unified and responsible national response. He explained that this response deals with the provisions of the roadmap presented by the mediators to complete the implementation of the US President's plan for Gaza, while adhering to national constants and guarantees of withdrawal.

Sources reported that the efforts made by the mediating trio (Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey) focused on discussing articles eight and nine of Mladenov's plan to reach acceptable approaches. The mediators aim to integrate the first phase of the fragile calm, which began last October, with the second phase to ensure a permanent and comprehensive cessation of Israeli aggression.

For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aty indicated that the current meetings in Cairo seek to implement the second phase of the American calm plan. Abdel Aty stressed continuous coordination with Doha and Ankara to advance the political track, affirming Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue or displace the population.

Despite the ongoing rounds of negotiations, Israel continues its daily violations of the first phase agreement by carrying out raids and bloody attacks in various areas of the Strip. These aggressions since last October 10 have led to the martyrdom of more than 980 people and the injury of thousands, in addition to tightening the siege and preventing the entry of medical and food aid.

Palestinian factions demanded the immediate activation of the humanitarian protocol and the entry of sufficient quantities of relief for Gaza residents who are suffering catastrophic conditions. They also stressed the importance of strong international intervention to stop military attacks that threaten the complete collapse of the negotiation process, with the necessity of enabling the National Committee to assume its duties in managing the Strip.

On the international diplomatic front, a leading delegation from the Hamas movement, headed by Mousa Abu Marzook, held in-depth discussions in the Russian capital, Moscow, with Foreign Ministry officials. The meetings addressed ways to unify international efforts to end the war and its consequences, where the delegation briefed the Russian side on the details of Israeli crimes committed in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

During its visit to Moscow, the Hamas delegation affirmed the movement's keenness to establish a ceasefire that ensures an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and the achievement of their legitimate rights. The delegation stressed that any agreement must ultimately lead to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, rejecting any plans to impose new realities on the ground.

For his part, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister reiterated his country's firm and supportive stance on Palestinian rights, emphasizing Moscow's keenness to push negotiation tracks to achieve stability. The Russian official pointed to continued communication with the movement and diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to a full-scale war and create a just political horizon for the issue.

As of now, no date has been set for the end of the current round of talks in Cairo, amid Israeli intransigence and attempts to impose conditions that affect the core of Palestinian national action. Political circles are monitoring the ability of mediators to overcome the new obstacle set by the occupation government to hinder reaching a final agreement that ends the aggression.

Israel demanded that the resistance factions completely transform their work and programs into political factions only, with the aim of abolishing their national structure and composition.