Gaza Cease-Fire Talks in Limbo as Israel Sits Out Next Round

TEL AVIV—Israel said Wednesday that it wouldn’t resume negotiations aimed at halting fighting in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages until Hamas softens its demands, a setback for the Biden administration’s push to secure a deal that could avert an Israeli offensive on the densely populated city of Rafah.

Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns concluded negotiations with top Middle Eastern officials in Cairo on Tuesday without making major strides toward a deal.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wouldn’t send a delegation back to Cairo to continue the talks because Hamas hadn’t presented any new offers since he rejected the group’s initial proposal last week.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that he “insists that Israel will not give in to Hamas’s delusional demands.” Israel would resume talks if Hamas softened its stance, the statement said.

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