A high-level Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday evening for meetings with Egyptian officials focused on advancing the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and preparing the transition to its second phase, according to a statement from the group.
The delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator and leader in Gaza, and includes Zaher Jabarin, who heads the movement in the occupied West Bank, along with political bureau members Husam Badran and Ghazi Hamad, the statement noted.
It further stated that a new round of negotiations will begin on Saturday and continue for several days, concentrating on unresolved elements of the initial truce.
The discussions are expected to address completion of first-phase provisions, an end to what Hamas describes as ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, and the establishment of mechanisms to move forward into the next phase of the agreement.
The delegation is also expected to hold consultations with Egyptian officials and other mediators to finalize implementation steps.
Hamas said the delegation will also engage with Palestinian factions and political groups in order to develop a unified national stance on key issues and build consensus on how to respond to ongoing challenges facing Palestinians.
These discussions aim to coordinate responses to what Palestinian sources describe as repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which they say have continued nearly daily since it came into effect on October 10, despite repeated international calls for adherence.
In September, US President Donald Trump presented a 20-point plan outlining a broader ceasefire framework that includes the release of Israeli captives, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and a call for Hamas to disarm.
The first phase of the agreement reportedly included a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian factions, although Palestinian sources allege that Israeli military operations have continued in violation of the deal.
Under the proposed second phase, further Israeli withdrawals from Gaza are expected, alongside the deployment of an international stabilization force tasked with overseeing security arrangements, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and supporting reconstruction efforts in the war-torn enclave.
Palestinian authorities state that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in nearly 73,000 deaths and more than 173,000 injuries, the majority of them women and children, while at least 947 people have been killed and 2,935 injured since the October 10 ceasefire began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
