Cairo, Egypt – A high-level delegation from Hamas met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo today to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The meeting, led by Hamas leadership council head Mohammed Darwish, focused on the implementation of the existing ceasefire and the overall situation in Gaza.
According to a statement released by Hamas, the delegation engaged with Egyptian Intelligence Minister Hassan Rashad, covering developments related to the ceasefire and exploring the parameters of its next phase. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the initial phase of the agreement, while emphasizing the need to address what it described as ongoing violations by Israel.
“It is crucial to establish a clear and defined mechanism, under the supervision of mediators, to prevent continued Israeli violations that threaten to undermine the agreement,” the statement asserted. The delegation also raised concerns regarding the situation of fighters in Rafah, stressing the urgency of addressing this issue through mediation efforts with all relevant parties, noting the disrupted communication with the fighters.
Prior to the meeting, a Hamas official highlighted the delegation’s priority of preventing Israeli escalation in Gaza, citing nearly 500 violations since the ceasefire came into effect, resulting in the deaths of over 340 Palestinians. DZWatch understands that the delegation also sought clarification on certain issues arising from UN Security Council Resolution 2803, pertaining to the US President’s plan for ending the conflict in Gaza, which was adopted on November 17th.
Concerns remain regarding Israel’s adherence to the agreement, particularly regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing for the movement of people and goods, and the insufficient delivery of humanitarian aid as stipulated in the humanitarian protocol. Furthermore, reports indicate that the Israeli military continues to encroach on the established boundaries and conduct demolition operations in areas under its control, further complicating the situation.
