The Israeli and Hamas delegations have left Cairo, with this latest round of ceasefire talks — mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt — ending without a deal. Al Jazeera explains what was said:

  • Israel expressed its “reservations” about the proposed captive release deal and has deemed this round of negotiations over, an anonymous senior Israeli official told Reuters.
  • Hamas’s political bureau said Israel “rejected the proposal” and “raised objections to it on several central issues”, without specifying what. It added that the “ball is now completely in the hands of the occupation [Israel]”.
  • US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he believes that there’s still a “path forward” to a deal, but said it’s going to take “leadership” and “moral courage” on both sides.
  • Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Hamas and Israel must show “flexibility” if they are to strike a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of captives.

Opinion

Editorial

New regional order
Updated 11 May, 2026

New regional order

The fact is that the US has only one true security commitment in the Middle East — Israel.
A better start
11 May, 2026

A better start

THE first 1,000 days of a child’s life often shape decades to come. In Pakistan, where chronic malnutrition has...
Widening gap
11 May, 2026

Widening gap

PAKISTAN’S monthly trade deficit ballooned to $4.07bn last month, its highest level since June 2022, further...
Momentary relief
Updated 10 May, 2026

Momentary relief

THE IMF’s approval of the latest review of Pakistan’s ongoing Fund programme comes at a moment of growing global...
India’s global shame
10 May, 2026

India’s global shame

INDIA’s rabid streak is at an all-time high. Prejudice is now an organised movement to erase religious freedoms ...
Aurat March restrictions
Updated 10 May, 2026

Aurat March restrictions

The message could not have been clearer: women may gather, but only if they remain politically harmless.