International sources report that senior Hamas officials rejected the deal proposed by the negotiation teams and mediators at the summit held in Cairo, Egypt's capital. The Israeli team returned after only a few hours, and in the meantime, the IDF is intensifying its control over the Philadelphi Route. According to a Reuters report, a senior Hamas official in contact with the news agency stated that Hamas is refusing the updated proposals presented by the mediators at the summit in Egypt. Despite Israel's significant flexibility in the terms of the deal, Hamas remains committed to the conditions previously presented, including a ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas issued a statement saying: "The organization remains committed to the proposal from July 2. All American statements about a near deal are misleading and are part of an election campaign." Meanwhile, the Israeli negotiation team sent to Egypt returned after only a few hours. The team arrived in Egypt in the late afternoon and, according to reports, left within a few hours and has now landed back in Israel. In response to Hamas's refusal and the prolonged negotiations, the IDF is strengthening its control over the Philadelphi Route and other strategic points. Among other actions, the forces have recently paved a road controlling the Philadelphi Route, which separates southern Gaza from Egyptian territory.