Hamas Talks Gaza Ceasefire with Egyptian Officials

A Hamas delegation recently met with Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza, according to two sources within the Palestinian group. The delegation, which included senior Hamas officials, engaged in talks with Major General Hassan Rashad, head of Egyptian general intelligence, and other Egyptian representatives. The discussions focused on halting the ongoing conflict, facilitating aid delivery, and reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

A second Hamas official revealed that Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are working hard to broker a ceasefire and a possible prisoner exchange. The official also expressed hope that international pressure, particularly from the U.S., could prompt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the war and negotiate an agreement similar to the one recently reached in Lebanon.

This meeting took place shortly after Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, with the U.S. and France playing a mediation role. U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to renew efforts for a ceasefire in the region, with his national security adviser confirming that Biden has instructed envoys to engage with key regional players, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

While Egyptian authorities have not made any public statements about the meeting, Hamas sources said the group is open to discussing ceasefire terms or a prisoner exchange, though no formal offers have been made. Hamas emphasized that any agreement should address their key demands, which include a full ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal, unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Israel has accused Hamas of stalling negotiations and lacking genuine interest in reaching a deal. The conflict, which escalated after Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 44,000 deaths in Gaza, according to official figures.