Key facts
- A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for talks on a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
- The delegation is led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya and includes Khaled Meshaal.
- Meetings with Egyptian mediators will focus on stopping the war, delivering aid, and ending suffering in Gaza.
- Intensive Egyptian efforts are underway to reach a temporary truce.
- Hamas has reportedly accepted Egypt's proposal for the political future of Gaza, known as the 'day after' plan.
- An official suggested Hamas no longer has full control over the Gaza Strip.
A Hamas delegation, headed by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, has arrived in Cairo, Egypt, for discussions with Egyptian mediators concerning a proposed 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The visit signifies a renewed effort to restart truce negotiations amid a prolonged deadlock in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The primary objectives of the meetings, as stated by Hamas official Taher al-Nono, are to explore ways to halt the ongoing war, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza. Intensive Egyptian efforts are reportedly underway to bridge the differences between the parties and achieve a temporary truce.
Sources familiar with the developments indicate that the discussions are centered on securing a 60-day ceasefire, with the ultimate goal of advancing negotiations towards a broader agreement. In parallel, an Arab official close to the discussions revealed that Hamas has accepted Egypt's proposal regarding the future governance of Gaza, often referred to as the 'day after' plan, which includes the potential involvement of the Palestinian Authority.
This official also suggested that Hamas's control over the Gaza Strip has diminished, stating that there is no longer an organized military structure or command hierarchy. The same source speculated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be prolonging the conflict for domestic political reasons. Netanyahu has previously stated that Palestinians would be allowed to leave Gaza before any new military offensive, while reiterating Israel's objective to regain full control of the territory.