According to a report from CNN, an Egyptian spy disrupted a potential cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas by altering its terms without the knowledge of the negotiating parties. The spy, Ahmed Abdel Khalek, made changes to the deal to include additional demands from Hamas, which Israel had already agreed to. Abdel Khalek is part of the Egyptian general intelligence service and works for Abbas Kamel.
In recent years, negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been fraught with difficulties due to various factors. One of the major sticking points in the deal was the concept of “sustainable calm” that was to be achieved in the second phase of the agreement. Israel was hesitant to discuss ending hostilities until Hamas was defeated and all Israeli hostages were released. The deal, if accepted, could have led to the release of some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and a temporary halt to combat. US officials believed that a temporary cease-fire could pave the way for a more permanent peace agreement.
However, things took a dramatic turn when an Egyptian spy disrupted the negotiations by changing the terms of the deal without consulting either party. This move shocked all involved in the negotiations and left them feeling betrayed by Ahmed Abdel Khalek’s actions. There has been no official response from Egypt regarding this incident or any other comments about what happened during these talks.
Hamas initially announced its agreement to the deal, which had been facilitated by Qatar and Egypt. However, Israeli officials suspected that this announcement was just another ploy to make it seem like they were unwilling to agree on a peace deal with Hamas.
The unraveling of this cease-fire deal has complicated efforts to prevent an escalation of violence in Gaza City and Rafah City where Israeli military actions have intensified. This failure presents a challenge for US President Joe Biden who is facing criticism from some left-wing supporters for his perceived support of Israel’s military actions against Palestinian civilians in Gaza City.
The disruption of this cease-fire has not only affected diplomatic efforts but has also further complicated an already volatile situation in Gaza City.
In conclusion, Ahmed Abdel Khalek’s actions as an Egyptian spy have caused significant problems for both Israel and Hamas as they try to find a lasting solution to their conflict.
