"Netanyahu Halts Gaza Truce Talks Over 'Delusional' Hamas Demands, Cease-Fire Negotiations at Dead End"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted truce talks with Hamas in Cairo, citing "delusional" demands from the group, including the release of "thousands of murderers" from Israeli jails and demands regarding a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem. Netanyahu emphasized that a statehood agreement with the Palestinians could only be reached through direct negotiations without preconditions and rejected the idea of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Pressure to reach a deal with Hamas mounted as thousands of Israelis gathered in support of over 100 hostages still held in Gaza, while Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire deal.