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Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for ceasefire consultations
Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News channel said the delegation, headed by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, will hold talks with Egyptian mediators on the framework, which comes as Israel pushes ahead with a phased occupation strategy approved by its security cabinet last week.
Under the Israeli plan, the first stage would force around one million residents out of Gaza City to the south, encircle the city, and launch incursions into residential areas.
A second stage would involve seizing central refugee camps, many of which have already suffered widespread destruction during the war.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that Cairo, working in coordination with Qatar and the US, is seeking a “comprehensive agreement” that would halt the Israeli war and secure a full deal between Israel and the Palestinian armed group.
Egypt says working ‘very hard’ to secure Gaza ceasefire
We have been reporting on the status of ceasefire and the presence of Hamas delegation in Egypt.
Egypt said it was working with mediators Qatar and the US to broker a 60-day ceasefire as part of a renewed push to end Israel’s war on Gaza.
“We are working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans,” Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters during a news conference in Cairo.
“The main objective is to go back to the original proposal – to have a ceasefire for 60 days, with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without restrictions, without conditions.
“We are talking with Hamas, with the Israelis and pushing for a deal” based on a recent US plan, Abdelatty said.
Last month, more than two weeks of negotiations in Doha failed to secure a breakthrough in talks for a ceasefire and the release of captives.
Council of Europe rights chief urges halt on Israeli arms sales
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty has called on member states to ensure arms transfers to Israel are not authorised if there is a risk they could be used to commit human rights violations.
“I note steps by some member states to suspend or restrict arms transfers to Israel, including Germany last week,” O’Flaherty said, adding that “more needs to be done, and quickly”.
He said that he had engaged with Council of Europe states “regarding their obligations in the context of the international arms trade, to help ensure that their actions do not contribute to human rights violations”.
While his mandate does not directly cover Gaza, O’Flaherty reiterated his call on governments to “do their utmost to prevent and address violations of international human rights and humanitarian law” and to intensify efforts to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
