The research institute that warned of the Oct. 7 attack is sounding the alarm again. This time it says Tehran is striving for chaos in Jordan while Jerusalem believes the assassinations are creating deterrence.

Sinwar does not mind that negotiations are taking place – in his view, they increase pressure on Israel from within and abroad. But it appears he does not want a deal, rather Israel's surrender to all his demands: a ceasefire and end to the war; withdrawal of the IDF from the strip; the return of Gazan refugees to their homes; the wholesale release of prisoners from Israeli jails; and ultimately – guarantees and assurances for his safety and that of his men after the fighting ends.

The tectonic threat of Iran to Mideast and global stability must be countered head-on.

Earlier on Monday, Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted a senior Egyptian source as saying progress had been made in the talks, after a deal was reached among participating delegations on issues under discussion.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on Monday. In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described the Cairo talks as the closest the sides have come to a deal since a November truce under which Hamas freed dozens of hostages.