ISTANBUL: Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas, arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for discussions with Egyptian officials on the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 19,000 Palestinians.
In a statement, the Palestinian group said Haniyeh would “engage in talks with Egyptian authorities regarding the latest developments related to the Zionist aggression on Gaza, among other issues.’
Specific details, however, were not provided.
A Palestinian source told Anadolu that Haniyeh is expected to meet Abbas Kamel, the head of Egyptian intelligence, and discussions would encompass putting an end to the Israeli military actions and lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
The source said the talks could serve as a preliminary step towards another hostage-prisoner exchange deal with the mediation of Egypt and Qatar.
Nevertheless, the source emphasized, ‘Hamas remains steadfast in its stance, insisting on the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israel
i forces before engaging in negotiations’ on a swap deal.
Before heading to Egypt, Haniyeh met Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Doha.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaan, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the besieged enclave, with Haniyeh hailing the group’s ‘good morale and capabilities.’
The Hamas leader also expressed readiness to reach a cease-fire but not while being constantly attacked by Israeli forces.
Source: Anadolu Agency