Hamas head in Cairo as momentum builds towards new Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, hostage deal
The ceasefire could be extended if new conditions for further releases are agreed and if the proposals are discussed between Qatar and Israel with the knowledge of the US government.
New Delhi: The Hamas leader made his first visit to Egypt in more than a month on Wednesday, a rare personal intervention in diplomacy amid the ongoing war with Israel. It is widely reported that the talks will focus on a possible ceasefire or truce in the war between Israel and Hamas and an agreement to release hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Haniyeh would meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and other officials for talks on “stopping the aggression and war to prepare an agreement for the release of prisoners,” a source close to the terrorist group to AFP.
Haniyeh, based in Qatar, was accompanied by a “high-level” Hamas delegation and was due to discuss “the delivery of humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and the return of displaced persons to their towns and villages.” in the north,” the source added.
The news agency reported that talks in Egypt would focus on proposals including a one-week ceasefire that would see the release of 40 Israeli hostages, including women, children and male non-combatants. Similar details were reported by Axios on Tuesday evening.
The ceasefire could be extended if new conditions for further releases are agreed, the source said, adding that the proposals were discussed between Qatar and Israel with the knowledge of the US government.
Haniyeh’s visit is his second to Egypt since Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7 that sparked the ongoing war. He made an earlier trip in early November.
Hamas leaders have said publicly that they will only release hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, although reports in recent days have indicated that talks on a new short-term truce to release more hostages may be progressing.
The terror group, which rules Gaza, sent thousands of armed men into Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages, mostly civilians.
It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza – not all alive – after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during a weeklong ceasefire in late November. Four hostages were released and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of eight hostages have also been recovered, along with three hostages accidentally killed by the military. The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by forces operating in Gaza.
During a ceasefire that lasted from November 24 to December 1, international agencies were able to provide much-needed aid. Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas returned 100 Israelis and others captured in the Oct. 7 attacks, which killed about 1,200 people and unleashed Israel’s brutal retaliation against the enclave.
Hamas took a total of 240 Israeli prisoners in an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7, which also killed 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, Israel says, starting the current war.
(With input from agencies)