A Hamas delegation met Egypt’s intelligence chief in Cairo on Sunday to assess the fragile ceasefire with Israel and discuss the stalled second phase of the agreement. Hamas said the talks focused on recent ceasefire developments, the worsening situation in Gaza, and the structure of the next stage of the deal.
The delegation included senior figures such as Muhammad Darwish, Khaled Meshaal, Khalil al-Hayya, Nizar Awadallah, Zahir Jabarin and Ghazi Hamad. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the first phase but warned that continued Israeli violations risk collapsing the agreement entirely.
It urged mediators to establish a clear reporting mechanism to document breaches and trigger immediate action that prevents further escalation. Gaza’s media office says Israeli forces have killed 342 Palestinians and injured hundreds more since the truce began.
Israel insists it will not start negotiations on the second phase until it receives the remaining bodies of its captives. Hamas maintains that recovering the bodies requires time due to vast destruction and inaccessible areas across the enclave.
Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, Hamas has handed over 20 captives alive and the remains of 27 others, though Israel disputes two transfers. The second phase is expected to include an international stabilization force in Gaza under a recent US-backed UN Security Council resolution.
Hamas also raised concerns about Qassam Brigades fighters trapped behind the Rafah “yellow line,” saying communication has collapsed and urging mediator assistance. On Saturday, the Israeli army said it killed or detained 17 fighters allegedly fleeing through a tunnel east of Rafah.
Egyptian media reported that Israel is using the Rafah standoff to pressure or delay the broader ceasefire process. Israeli officials have urged trapped fighters to surrender or face death, escalating tensions around the enclave’s southern edge. Since October 2023, Israel’s offensive has killed nearly 70,000 people in Gaza, injured more than 170,000, and left much of the territory in ruins.