Hamas delegation meets Egyptian intelligence chief to discuss Gaza truce implementation and second phase involving disarmament and transitional authority
CAIRO: A senior Hamas delegation discussed the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement during talks with Egypt’s intelligence chief on Sunday.
The delegation, led by Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo on Saturday for meetings with Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Rashad.
Hamas “reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the first phase of the agreement, stressing the importance of putting an end to Israeli violations,” the group said in a statement.
The discussions also covered “the nature of the second phase of the agreement,” though Hamas provided no further details.
The second stage involves disarming Hamas, establishing a transitional authority, and deploying an international stabilisation force.
Hamas has refused to disarm under the Trump plan adopted by the UN Security Council, which excludes the group from future governance of Gaza.
Both sides have recently accused each other of violating the US-brokered truce that began on October 10 after two years of war.
Gaza’s civil defence agency reported 21 killed and dozens wounded in multiple Israeli air strikes on Saturday.
The Israeli military said an “armed terrorist” crossed the Yellow Line within Gaza and fired at Israeli soldiers.
In response, Israel “began striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip,” the military stated.
Hamas also raised concerns about fighters in Rafah with whom contact had been lost.
Media reports suggest up to 200 Hamas fighters may be trapped in tunnels beneath areas where Israeli forces have redeployed under phase one of the agreement. – AFP
