CAIRO, (PIC)
A Hamas leadership delegation headed by Khalil Al-Hayya, the Movement’s leader in Gaza, arrived in Cairo on Friday evening for a new round of negotiations scheduled to begin on Saturday and continue for several days.
In a statement, Hamas said the delegation includes Zaher Jabarin, head of the Movement in the West Bank, and Political Bureau members Hossam Badran and Ghazi Hamad. The delegation is expected to meet Egyptian officials and mediators to discuss completing the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, ending ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, and establishing mechanisms for moving into the second phase of the deal.
Hamas said the delegation will also hold meetings with Palestinian factions and political groups to coordinate a unified national position on key issues and challenges facing the Palestinian people.
The Movement has held several rounds of talks with Egyptian officials and mediators regarding the ceasefire agreement, most recently on April 21.
The first phase of the agreement, which took effect on October 10, 2025, included a ceasefire, exchanges of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a partial Israeli withdrawal from parts of the territory.
Hamas accused Israel of failing to fulfill its obligations under the agreement and continuing military operations despite Palestinian calls for compliance.
According to Hamas, Israeli ceasefire violations, including airstrikes, shootings, and military incursions, have left 947 Palestinians killed and 2,935 injured people since the agreement took effect, while Israeli forces have maintained control over more than 60 percent of Gaza.
The proposed second phase of negotiations is expected to address several major issues, including the formation of a temporary technocratic administration for Gaza, reconstruction efforts, the establishment of a Peace Council, the deployment of an international force, further Israeli withdrawals from the territory, and disarmament.
While a Peace Council has reportedly been established, a Palestinian technocratic committee formed in Cairo, and preparations for an international force initiated, major disputes remain unresolved, particularly regarding disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Gaza’s reconstruction.
The ceasefire agreement was reached after two years of war that began in October 2023. According to Hamas, the conflict caused extensive destruction to Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, with the United Nations estimating reconstruction costs at approximately $70 billion.