Hamas ends Egypt visit, reaffirms ceasefire commitment
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A senior Hamas delegation concluded its visit to Cairo after meeting Palestinian factions and civil society groups.
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People wave Hamas flags as they shout slogans during a pro-Palestine protest after Friday prayers outside Beyazit mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, November 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The delegation of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, concluded its visit to Cairo on Saturday evening, as part of efforts to end the genocide in the Gaza Strip and halt the Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank and Al-Quds.
According to the statement by Hamas, the delegation was led by Zahir Jabarin and included Husam Badran, Kamal Abu Aoun, Ghazi Hamad, and Mahmoud Mardawi. The group met with Palestinian factions, civil society representatives, public figures, and businessmen with the goal of advancing coordination and outlining a national roadmap.
The statement added that the visit came “at a time when the Gaza Strip is witnessing an escalation of Israeli crimes, and a policy of systematic destruction and displacement, as part of the Israeli plans to reoccupy the city and continue the genocide against Palestinians.”
Hamas noted that the factions “agreed to continue exploring ways to end the war, support the resilience of Gaza’s residents, confront the aggression in the West Bank and Al-Quds, and strengthen joint efforts to manage the battle and map out a national plan for the post-war phase.”
In a related statement on Saturday, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment, together with other Palestinian factions, to the ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators on August 18.
The movement also reiterated its openness to any initiatives or proposals that would secure a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid, and a legitimate prisoner-captive exchange deal. The movement believes such objectives could only be achieved through serious negotiations mediated by third parties.
Recent Hamas statements
Hamas has, in recent days, issued several strong statements underscoring its position. On September 5, the movement condemned "Israel’s" introduction of new weapons into its prisons, describing it as “a systematic and dangerous escalation against defenseless prisoners.”
Hamas accused the occupation of pursuing “a fascist, vindictive policy aimed at liquidating the heroic prisoners and inflicting maximum physical and psychological harm on them,” and called on international organizations to take urgent action.
Earlier, on September 3, Hamas renewed its call for a comprehensive prisoner-captive swap deal and an end to the war on Gaza, reaffirming its readiness to conclude an agreement under which all Israeli captives held by the Resistance would be released in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian detainees.
The movement stressed that such a deal must secure the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, allow the reopening of border crossings for vital supplies, and launch reconstruction efforts.
