CAIRO, (PIC)
A high-level delegation from the Hamas Movement met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Hasan Rashad in Cairo on Sunday and discussed with him the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
The two sides discussed several key issues positively and responsibly, mainly with regard to the stages of the ceasefire agreement, according to a statement by Hamas.
The Hamas delegation, led by head of Hamas’s leadership council Mohamed Darwish, highlighted the need for the Israeli occupation government to fully abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement and to immediately proceed to the negotiations over the second phase of the deal.
The delegation called for the reopening of the border crossings with Gaza and the unrestricted and unconditional entry of humanitarian aid and vital supplies.
The Hamas leadership also reiterated its approval for the formation of a community support committee, composed of independent national figures, to manage the affairs of the Gaza Strip until national, presidential and legislative elections are held.
During the meeting, the delegation conveyed the Movement’s appreciation for Egypt’s efforts towards the Gaza Strip, especially its plan to rebuild Gaza and its opposition to any proposal for displacing its population.
In a related context, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi refuted news reports claiming that his Movement was open to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. He reaffirmed its commitment to the agreed-upon agreement and emphasized the need to engage in talks over the second phase of the agreement.
Earlier on Saturday, Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanu said in a press statement that “the efforts of Egyptian and Qatari mediators are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate negotiations over its second phase, with positive indicators in that direction.”
He emphasized Hamas’s readiness to engage in these negotiations in a manner that serves the interests of the Palestinian people.
