The KAN Public Broadcasting Corporation cited several sources who accused Netanyahu of blocking progress in the talks, which will be held in Cairo this week. “The head of government knows that there is progress, but as part of his strategy he makes statements that contradict what was agreed,” denounced an official as quoted by the media outlet.

Channel 13 reported that the head of the Army negotiators, Nitzan Alon, did not join the delegation that left for the Egyptian capital, estimating that the contact made no sense due to Netanyahu’s lack of flexibility on the future of the Philadelphia and Netzarin axes.

If a few months ago the prime minister was willing to evacuate his troops from both areas as part of a ceasefire, now he categorically rejects the idea, which was harshly criticized by Hamas, who accused Israel of backing down.

Israeli officials quoted by Channel 13 estimated that there is little chance of achieving results at the meeting in Cairo due to Netanyahu’s intransigence.

This month, The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu prevented from reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas on several occasions in recent months, and cited three officials from the mediating countries who revealed details about the indirect talks between both parties, and affirmed that the guarantees given in the talks to Qatar, Egypt and the United States by the Israeli security chiefs were abandoned again and again after consulting Netanyahu, who demanded new conditions on each occasion.

One of those interviewed stressed that at several points, Israeli officials gave assurances about elements of the deal they were willing to accept, but then backed away from the commitments because of Netanyahu’s stance.

jrr/llp/oda/rob