Israeli authorities have been quiet so far on international attempts to advance a cease-fire with Hamas. Reports this morning claimed that an Egyptian delegation, which arrived yesterday to Tel Aviv to negotiate a cease-fire, returned to Cairo empty-handed. The report said Israel refused an offer for a temporary cease-fire, as a first step for calming down tensions with Hamas. Other reports said Israel was not interested in a mutual commitment for a cease-fire, and is demanding that Hamas first stops unilaterally all hostilities. A France24 report said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry had called late on May 12 Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, but failed to convince him to accept a cease-fire compromise. The report also mentioned efforts by the United Nations and Qatar to advance a temporary truce.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said May 12 that according to senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk, the group would accept a cease-fire on condition that Israel halts strikes and on condition of the international community pressuring Israel to end “military actions” at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Reports said Israel rejected that offer.
