Egypt is reconsidering its role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, following allegations that its intelligence agency altered a truce proposal accepted by Israel without prior consultation, and then presented it to Hamas. Egypt has denied these accusations and indicated it might withdraw from its mediating role.
Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s General Information Authority, expressed on social media that Egypt might completely pull out of the peace efforts. He stated, “The ongoing attempts to question and insult Egypt’s mediation efforts and role with claims that do not reflect reality will only complicate the situation in Gaza and the entire region further, and may lead the Egyptian side to decide to withdraw entirely from its mediator role in the current conflict.”
The controversy arose amid a dispute involving American, Israeli, and Qatari officials. CNN reported on Tuesday, citing three individuals familiar with the talks, that the Egyptian intelligence service had modified an Israeli-accepted ceasefire proposal by adding further demands from Hamas, without consulting Israel.
When Hamas accepted the proposal on May 6, it was not the version that U.S. and Qatari mediators had expected to be presented to them. CIA Director Bill Burns, leading U.S. efforts for a ceasefire, was reportedly shocked by the changes, according to the CNN report. This action caused frustration and blame among American, Israeli, and Qatari officials, leading to a stalemate in the negotiations. The CIA has not commented on the report.
Israel and Hamas have been negotiating indirectly for months regarding a ceasefire and the release of more hostages, who were abducted during the October 7 attack on Israel and taken to Gaza. Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt have been acting as mediators in these talks. However, a breakthrough in the negotiations remains elusive.
