The assessment in Egypt, one of the main mediators of hostage and ceasefire negotiations with Hamas in Gaza, is that a ceasefire in Lebanon is likelier right now than a ceasefire in Gaza, according to Kann reporter Roi Kais.
According to Kais, Egypt believes there is a clear desire and political will on the part of Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon to reach a ceasefire, although that optimism has been tempered by US envoy Amos Hochstein's decision not to continue to Beirut after meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today (Thursday).
Meanwhile, in Gaza, leaders in Qatar, the other country mediating the hostage negotiations and which has had a close relationship with Hamas for many years, has said they have tried and failed to find out who in Gaza serves as the Hamas point man for a hostage deal, thus ensuring the deal itself remains in limbo.
