A senior Hamas official has confirmed that a delegation from the group is set to travel to Cairo on Saturday for fresh negotiations on a potential ceasefire in Gaza. The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the talks aim to achieve “real progress” toward ending the months-long conflict, halting Israeli military operations, and securing a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
The delegation will be led by Khalil al-Hayya, a top Hamas negotiator known for his role in previous rounds of indirect talks. While media reports in Israel suggest that draft documents outlining a possible ceasefire and hostage release deal have been exchanged between Israel and Egypt, Hamas maintains that it has not yet received any new formal proposal.
“Contacts and discussions with mediators are ongoing,” the official said, but stressed that no concrete framework has been presented to the group. He further accused Israel of “continuing its aggression” in Gaza, despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The renewed engagement with Egypt comes amid increasing international pressure for a lasting truce in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation has worsened significantly. Cairo has played a central role in mediating between Hamas and Israel throughout the conflict, often working alongside Qatar and the United States.
This latest development follows a series of stalled negotiations and fragile temporary truces that have failed to deliver a sustainable resolution. It remains unclear whether the Cairo meeting will produce tangible results, but observers see it as a critical step in breaking the current deadlock.
The war in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, has led to massive civilian casualties and displacement. Any breakthrough in the talks could mark a turning point in efforts to end the devastating violence.
