Hamas delegation in Cairo – adressa.no

The plane carrying the Hamas delegation arrived from Qatar, where Hamas’ exile leadership has its headquarters.

The trip to Cairo comes shortly after an Israeli negotiating delegation was in Egypt’s capital after first negotiating in Doha in Qatar.

An unnamed Hamas source confirms the trip to Cairo, but says the delegation will not participate in the negotiations. They will only receive a briefing from Egyptian intelligence about the latest developments, he claims.

At least 30 killed

Hamas has insisted that it adheres to the text of the agreement that US President Joe Biden presented at the beginning of July, and the group accuses Israel of having presented several new proposals that are unacceptable to the group.

The negotiations are taking place at the same time as fighting is raging in the Gaza Strip, both in the north and south and in central areas, according to eyewitnesses. At least 30 people have been killed in various attacks on Saturday, officials in the Palestinian area say.

An Israeli attack on a house west of the town of Khan Younis took eleven lives on Saturday night, including at least two children, the Gaza Civil Defense reports.

The United States reports progress

On Friday, the United States stated that there was progress in the negotiations.

– Progress has been made. It is now necessary for both parties to come together and work towards implementation, said John Kirby, spokesman for the US national security adviser.

He described the talks held on Thursday as “constructive” and dismissed reports that diplomacy is about to break down.

CIA chief William Burns is among those taking part in the negotiations in Cairo.

Pressure against Netanyahu

According to an Egyptian source, Qatar’s and Egypt’s intelligence chiefs are also participating. The person says that the stage is set for a larger round of negotiations on Sunday, and that an agreement could be announced if the US manages to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was this week in the Middle East in an attempt to get the parties to agree to a ceasefire.

Unnamed diplomats have expressed pessimism about the negotiations, and Netanyahu has been accused of sabotaging the negotiations. Several analysts believe he benefits from keeping the negotiations going, while the war continues.