Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, has arrived in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials about the situation in Gaza, as announced by Hamas on Wednesday. This visit aims to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange with Israel.
Earlier, Haniyeh headed to Egypt for talks centered around achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange of prisoners with Israel, as disclosed by a source close to the movement. Haniyeh is expected to lead a “high-ranking delegation” in Cairo for several meetings, most notably with Egyptian Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel.
The discussions will focus on “stopping the aggression and the war as a prelude to a prisoner swap deal, ending the siege on the Gaza Strip, facilitating the entry of aid, and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the sector. The talks will also address the return of displaced persons to their towns and villages in Gaza and the northern part of the strip.”
This is Haniyeh’s second visit to Egypt since the war began on October 7. His first visit was on November 9.
According to the Times of Israel, Tel Aviv informed Qatar of its readiness for a week-long truce in Gaza in exchange for the release of 40 detainees held by Hamas. Israel also demands the release of women prisoners, men over 60, and captives with life-threatening illnesses or in need of urgent medical treatment from Hamas.
Egypt and Qatar have mediated an 8-day truce in late November, during which 80 Israelis captured in Gaza were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 due to an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian movement on Israel from Gaza, killing about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, with most casualties occurring on the first day. Around 250 hostages were taken to the sector, with 129 still detained in Gaza.
In response to the worst attack in its history, Israel launched an aerial and ground operation in Gaza, vowing to eliminate Hamas, which governs the strip. The latest death toll announced by the Hamas government on Tuesday reached 19,667
