Gaza Future at Stake: Hamas Leader Arrives in Egypt for High-Level Talks
Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya has arrived in Cairo for important discussions. He will meet Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. A Hamas source confirmed this visit. It happens before US envoy Jared Kushner’s Middle East trip.
This is Mr. al-Hayya’s first visit to Egypt as Hamas leader. He took charge in late July. The talks in Cairo aim to address ongoing tensions in Gaza.
Next week, Jared Kushner will visit Israel and Egypt. He is US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Mr. Kushner seeks to narrow differences. These differences are over a plan for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected this plan. Nickolay Mladenov, a top Gaza representative, will join Mr. Kushner.
Mr. Netanyahu publicly dismissed a 15-point proposal. This plan asked Hamas to give up its weapons. They would go to a new Palestinian governing committee. Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim spoke about this. He said Hamas wants mediators and the US to pressure Mr. Netanyahu. They want him to follow the roadmap.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks have continued in Gaza. On Saturday, Israeli fire killed two Palestinians. It also wounded 14 others. This followed Israeli air strikes, shelling, and demolitions. These actions occurred in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
More than 1,250 Palestinians in Gaza have died from Israeli fire. This count began after a ceasefire last October. The total death toll since October 2023 is over 73,300. These figures come from Palestinian official sources.
Prime Minister Netanyahu formally rejected the peace plan last Sunday. He stated Israeli forces will not leave. They will stay until Hamas is truly disarmed. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also spoke this week. He said troops would remain in security zones. These zones are in Lebanon and Syria. Mr. Katz declared Israel will keep a military presence on all three fronts.
