Hamas delegation in Cairo discusses ending Israeli war and reconstructing Gaza - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

13-04-2025

Hamas announced on Sunday that its delegation currently in Cairo is engaged in talks focused on ending the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza and opening border crossings to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid into the strip.
The delegation also discusses the possibility of activating a widely supported initiative to establish a Community Support Committee, whose members would be unaffiliated with any Palestinian factions, to administer all levels of civil affairs in Gaza.
The proposal to establish the committee has reportedly gained Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic consensus and even international acceptance.
Furthermore, Hamas confirmed that it was discussing rebuilding Gaza and unifying Palestinian institutions in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank in coordination with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, with the group emphasising that Palestinian territorial and political unity remains a top priority.
Moreover, Hamas described its approach in Cairo as "responsible and positive," stating that it was open to any new proposals so long as they were based on ending the war and ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The group also warned against attempts to reduce negotiations to a prisoner swap deal, only to resume Israeli military operations afterwards.
"The Palestinian people and their resistance are well aware of the occupation's intentions and internal political games," the statement said.
"That's why we will not back down from our rightful demands: a complete end to the war, withdrawal of Israeli forces, reconstruction of Gaza, and recognition of our political rights—chief among them, an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza on 7 October 2023, Egypt has maintained a steadfast stance in support of the Palestinian people, firmly rejecting any efforts to undermine their legitimate cause.
Egypt is simultaneously working closely with Qatar to restore and uphold the truce, halt the resurgence of Israeli aggression, and advance negotiations towards implementing a second phase of the ceasefire.
On 18 March, Israel unleashed a brutal assault on Gaza, massacring over 1,400 Palestinians and injuring hundreds more, unilaterally ending the Egypt, Qatar, and US-brokered ceasefire that had been in place since 19 January.
Israel said the move aimed to compel Hamas to release all captives—dead and alive—immediately rather than during the agreed second phase.
In resuming war on Gaza, Israel has raised the death toll among Palestinians to 50,886 documented fatalities, with an additional 115,875 wounded, the majority of whom are women and children.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link: