Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met Israeli negotiators in Cairo on Tuesday, signaling renewed momentum toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
The talks, led by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, came days after a Hamas delegation concluded its own round of negotiations in the Egyptian capital.
According to Cairo News, discussions centered on de-escalation and efforts to broker a truce, with no official outcome announced by either side.
Brig. Gen. Tarek Al-Akari, an Egyptian strategic affairs analyst, called the meeting “serious” and said it reflected Cairo’s intensified role in halting the war.
Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has played a central role in mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas since hostilities reignited in March.
Hamas concluded its Cairo visit on April 26 after what it described as “extensive discussions” with Egyptian officials on proposals for ending the conflict.
Earlier, the group agreed to consider Egypt’s plan to create a “Community Support Committee” to help administer Gaza, though it publicly rejected any governance role.
Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, breaking a fragile ceasefire established in January and reigniting violence across the besieged enclave.
Since October 2023, over 52,300 Palestinians—mainly women and children—have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to local health authorities.
In response to the spiraling crisis, the International Criminal Court last year issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.