Hamas delegation in Cairo to push efforts to enter 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire talks

By Ibrahim al-Khazen and Ahmed Asmar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Egyptian state media reported on Friday that a delegation from the Palestinian Hamas group is in Cairo to advance efforts for entering talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which Israel has refused to engage in.

"A delegation from the leadership of the Hamas movement has arrived in Cairo to discuss measures for implementing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and pushing negotiations to enter the second phase," Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) said.

It confirmed that "the intensive Egyptian meetings with Hamas leaders and communications with the American and Qatari sides aim to complete the ceasefire agreement and enter the second phase."

The Egyptian broadcaster noted that "the Egyptian-Qatari efforts aim to provide the necessary guarantees for transitioning to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza."

Israel halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza on Sunday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to start negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal between Tel Aviv and Hamas.

Earlier, Hamas declared its readiness to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, reiterating that the completion of prisoner-hostage exchanges depends on Israel’s full adherence to the terms of the deal, particularly regarding the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

More than 48,400 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 111,800 injured in a brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 2023. The assault, which left the enclave in ruins, was paused under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold on Jan. 19.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.