Hamas Delegation Heads to Cairo for Ceasefire Discussions

A delegation from Hamas has traveled to Cairo to explore new proposals aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. According to a representative from the group, the team includes lead negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya and will be meeting with Egyptian officials. This renewed diplomatic push comes after Hamas turned down Israel’s latest offer last week, which proposed a 45-day pause in hostilities in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have previously played key roles in brokering truces, including the ceasefire that began in January. That agreement led to a temporary halt in fighting and allowed humanitarian aid into the territory, but it eventually broke down due to disagreements over the next phase of implementation. Hamas has insisted that any new deal must lead to a permanent cessation of the war, while Israel has focused on extending temporary arrangements.

Humanitarian Crisis and Continued Airstrikes

As negotiations inch forward, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue. On Tuesday alone, 26 people were killed across the territory, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. In central Khan Yunis, a strike on a home reportedly killed nine people, with more still trapped under debris. Elsewhere, equipment belonging to the Jabalia municipality was destroyed, severely hampering rescue efforts. Civil defense officials warned that without access to heavy machinery, future disaster response efforts will be even more limited.

The United Nations has raised alarms over the worsening humanitarian conditions. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described Gaza as a land of desperation, where hunger is spreading and aid has become a tool of war. Israel halted all aid to Gaza on March 2, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies — a claim the group denies.

According to health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory, the total number of deaths in Gaza since the resumption of hostilities on March 18 has risen to at least 1,890. This brings the cumulative death toll to more than 51,000 since the war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,218 people and led to the abduction of 251 others. Of those hostages, 58 are believed to still be in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.

The talks in Cairo represent another attempt to stem the bloodshed, but the path forward remains uncertain amid continued violence and deep mistrust on both sides.