Hamas delegation meets Egyptian intelligence chief in Cairo
A delegation from Hamas, led by Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal, arrived in Cairo on Thursday morning, as confirmed by Hamas officials.
The delegation met with Abbas Kamel, the head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, marking discussions about the latest developments in Gaza.
As per a statement issued by Hamas via their official Telegram group, Ismail Haniyeh, Khaled Mashal, and Khalil al-Hayya engaged in talks with General Abbas Kamel, focusing on the current situation in Gaza. Their arrival in Cairo coincided with an expected visit by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, set to occur on Friday, meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
Moreover, the visit took place just before the urgent Arab Summit meeting called for by Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority, scheduled for Saturday. Recent reports indicated Egypt's efforts to broker a potential "humanitarian truce" deal in Gaza, involving negotiations around Israeli captives and Palestinian detainees.
The visit of Hamas leaders follows a visit by the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, to Cairo earlier in the week. During Burns' meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, there were discussions about the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza.
A Wall Street Journal report highlighted that President El-Sisi declined a proposal during his meeting with Burns, rejecting the notion for Egypt to assume control of Gaza's security until the Palestinian Authority can take over post-war. The report stated El-Sisi's affirmation that Egypt does not seek to eliminate Hamas, recognizing the group's role in securing the country's border with Gaza.
The Hamas delegation's visit to Cairo signifies a diplomatic effort amid regional talks and negotiations, indicating a push for peaceful resolution and potential mediation in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. (ILKHA)