Over the course of a few days, hopes for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have risen, faded, and risen again, with no clear explanation.
The confusion was perhaps never more evident than on Monday, when Hamas claimed to have accepted the terms of a truce deal even as Israel – a week after making concessions in hopes of a deal – ordered civilians in the city of Rafah , in southern Gaza, to evacuate and increase their airstrikes there.
Here’s a look at the recent dizzying turn of events.
Monday April 29
Israeli officials, offering a glimmer of hope for a deal, said their negotiators had reduced the number of hostages they wanted Hamas to release during the first phase of a truce.
Thursday May 2
A Hamas leader said the group would soon send a delegation to Cairo to “complete ongoing discussions” on a ceasefire agreement.
Saturday May 4
While the talks were underway, a senior Hamas official said in a text message that the group’s representatives had arrived in Cairo for the talks, “with great positivity” toward the latest proposal.
Sunday May 5
The talks, which are being held indirectly through mediators, reached a deadlock and Hamas said its delegation had left Cairo. An Israeli official described the negotiations as in “crisis.”
Late in the day, Hamas fired rockets at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel, killing four Israeli soldiers. Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza.
Monday, May 6
Hamas said it accepted the terms of a ceasefire, not like those set out in Israel’s proposal, but drawn from one presented by Egypt and Qatar.
The moment seemed noteworthy. The announcement was made after Israel ordered people to evacuate some areas of Rafah, a sign that Israeli forces could be about to launch a long-awaited invasion of the refugee-filled city. Later that day, the Israeli military said it was carrying out “targeted strikes” in eastern Rafah.
The attacks may be an attempt to increase pressure on Hamas negotiators. Later that day, after a week of conflicting signals, the Israeli prime minister’s office said Hamas’ latest ceasefire proposal was unsatisfactory.
He then said he would send a working delegation to the talks in Cairo anyway.