Hamas says dealing positively with Cairo ceasefire talks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Apr 2025 23:10

Earlier reports said negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli regime "remain ongoing despite an apparent stalemate."

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A man waves a Palestinian flag during a rally in support of Palestine and against displacement, after Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, March 31, 2025 (AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi)

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas announced on Saturday that its negotiating delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, has departed for the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in response to an official invitation from Egypt.

In a statement, Hamas said the delegation would meet with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to continue efforts aimed at reaching an agreement and securing a ceasefire to end Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Hamas affirmed its positive engagement with any proposals that guarantee a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people, and the conclusion of a serious prisoner exchange deal.

Earlier this week, the Israeli Kan broadcaster reported that negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli regime "remain ongoing despite an apparent stalemate," noting that recent discussions have been conducted in complete secrecy to facilitate progress away from media coverage.

According to Israeli sources cited by Kan, proposed deals under discussion involve the release of ten captives, including dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander. Hamas, for its part, has proposed the release of five captives.

'Israel' expands aggression

The Israeli occupation announced Saturday that its military had completed the takeover of the Morag axis, a strategic corridor between Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, as part of its ongoing efforts to seize large parts of the Palestinian territory.

Security Minister Israel Katz said the area between the Philadelphi Route, which runs along the Egyptian border, and Morag has now been incorporated into what he described as an Israeli "security zone."

"IDF operations will soon intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza," Katz said in a message addressed to Gaza residents. He urged civilians to evacuate combat zones, calling on them to "rise up, remove Hamas, and release all the Israeli hostages" as the path to ending the war.

Egypt, Palestine discuss ceasefire

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed the latest developments and Cairo's efforts to revive the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as well as ongoing negotiations to initiate its second phase, during a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Mohammad Mustafa.

According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing the importance of preserving their inalienable rights.

He also stressed the need to work toward creating the necessary political sphere for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with the Eastern part of al-Quds as its capital.

Ongoing discussions

The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, also addressed the latest regional developments, ongoing efforts to support the Arab-Islamic plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in coordination with international stakeholders, and preparations for the reconstruction conference that Egypt will host in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations.

The two sides also discussed the situation in the West Bank in light of the relentless Israeli raids on Palestinian cities and refugee camps.

Moreover, a senior delegation from the Hamas movement is scheduled to head to Cairo tomorrow, Saturday, a senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen.