As Hamas sticks to demands, Israeli officials warn Cairo talks likely an ’empty show’

A Hamas delegation headed by the group’s deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, will go to Cairo on Sunday for Gaza ceasefire talks, in response to an invitation extended by Egyptian mediators, the group said in a statement.

CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to attend Sunday’s talks, along with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and an Israeli delegation, Egypt’s Al Qahera news reported on Saturday.

Among the Israeli officials expected to attend the talks are Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.

Hamas on Saturday reiterated its demands issued in a March 14 proposal prior to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that was passed on March 25.

“Hamas confirms its adherence to the position it presented on March 14 … and we will not back down from this position,” it said in a statement. READ MORE