Hamas delegation meets with Egyptian Intelligence chief to discuss ceasefire proposals

A Hamas delegation led by Khalil Al-Hayya has met with Egypt's new intelligence chief Hassan Rashad in Cairo. 

The meeting, which lasted about five hours, focused on the US and Egyptian proposals for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

During discussions with representatives of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, Hamas emphasised the urgent need to halt the genocide occurring in northern Gaza before engaging in any negotiations. Cairo may have informed US officials of its complete understanding of the proposal recently put forth by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This proposal includes the deployment of international forces in the Salah al-Din corridor (Philadelphi Route), adjacent to the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in exchange for the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the area.

This delegation will travel to Doha, the capital of Qatar, in the coming days for negotiations involving Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Egypt's new intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, CIA Director William Burns, and Mossad Chief David Barnea.

Previous discussions over the long-sought after deal have centred around a proposal from US President Joe Biden in May, which was “positively” received by Hamas.  

That proposal laid out a three-step plan that would begin with a six-week ceasefire, in which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza.   There would also be a "surge" of humanitarian aid, as well as an exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners. It would eventually lead to a permanent "cessation of hostilities" and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.

But talks faltered, with a key sticking-point being Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on an Israeli troop presence on the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi corridor.  

Blinken is on his 11th visit to the Middle East since the start of the current war between Israel and Hamas more than a year ago, and is set to end his trip on October 25.   During the visit, he announced an additional $135 million of aid “in humanitarian assistance, water, sanitation, maternal health for Palestinians in Gaza, in the West Bank, as well as in the region”, taking the total amount of US aid since the start of the war to some $1.2 billion.

By Naila Huseynova