Egypt’s contacts with Hamas and Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad, on Sunday were carried out under a mandate from the Egyptian presidency in an effort to bring the two sides’ divergent positions together. Qatar, Egypt and the US have been trying to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire during Ramadan in return for the release of Israel hostages captured in Hamas’ 7 October attacks. Hamas has reiterated its position that all Israeli forces leave Gaza, large-scale humanitarian aid should be allowed in, and that Palestinians displaced from their homes in the north of the coastal territory be allowed to return. Will itbe possible to have a ceasefire during ramadan ?

