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Egypt Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Hamas says it offered 5-year Gaza ceasefire, release of all captives
A girl holding her toys walk across demolished buildings in Gaza – FILE/WAFA CAIRO – 2 May 2025: Senior Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid said they have presented a 'clear and responsible' vision that includes a five-year ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of all captives that they still hold. In a video statement, Shadid said their vision includes a ceasefire supported by regional and international guarantees, along with a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. Hamas also calls for lifting of the blockade to allow the entry of humanitarian aid to the strip while enabling the reconstruction process to kick off. Hamas's offer also includes the formation of an independent committee for the management of Gaza, according to an Egyptian proposal. He said that this Community Support Committee, set to comprise independent technocrats provide security and services to people amid the current critical period. He added that the Egyptian proposal to form the Community Support Committee ensures the management of the Strip's affairs, free from direct political interference. The committee is part of a plan for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, presented by Egypt and endorsed by Arab and Muslim countries besides other international actors in March. Under the plan, an administrative committee made up of Palestinian professionals and independent technocrats is set to govern Gaza, which is currently ruled by Hamas, until the Palestinian Authority reestablishes control over the enclave under the plan. Hamas continues to hold 59 captives, with at least 22 believed to be alive, and has expressed readiness to release all remaining captives in exchange for an end to the Israeli war. However, Israeli forces resumed bombardment on Gaza on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire that had resulted in the release of 38 captives from Gaza, 30 of whom were alive. The war in Gaza has so far killed over 52,400 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, including more than 2,300 fatalities since the resumption of bombardment, according to the health ministry in the enclave. Israel has rejected Hamas's offers for a captive deal that would involve the release of all captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Instead, Tel Aviv has proposed only a temporary truce, stating that Hamas must disarm for a permanent ceasefire to be established—a condition that Hamas has described as "impossible" and a "red line." Hamas has warned that the renewed Israeli aggression represents "a death sentence" for the remaining captives.
Egypt Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt and Qatar issue proposal for long-term truce to end war in Gaza
Cairo is continuing its intensive efforts with mediators to stop the brutal war on Gaza, with a consultative meeting scheduled on April 23 between high-level Egyptian officials and a delegation from Hamas. The meeting will discuss an Egyptian-Qatari proposal addressing outcomes of Egypt's proposal made at the recent Arab Summit for the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing Palestinians. Egypt's proposal will involve all security, political, and economic aspects of managing Gaza, alongside Hamas's final consensual response to the proposal of US Presidential Envoy Adam Mueller, which includes a truce of five to seven years as part of a comprehensive deal. Sources revealed to Arab media that the proposal will focus on a ceasefire, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and a complete end to the war. Hamas would announce the 'laying down of arms,' but not the surrender of weapons. This means that it will not use or display its weapons in the streets during the truce period, while retaining its stockpile. The proposal further includes an agreement on a civilian administration for the Gaza Strip after Hamas withdraws from any form of governance, whether security, political, or administrative. The previously agreed-upon Community Support Committee will assume management of Gaza's affairs. The proposal also includes Egypt training Palestinian Authority security personnel to manage the security situation in Gaza. It also includes reconstruction, with a pledge to undertake immediate reconstruction if the agreement is successful. An international donor conference will also be held to provide the necessary support without displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. According to sources, the proposal was presented to an Israeli delegation that visited Cairo in April which expressed flexibility, although some points remain under discussion. UNRWA strikes at Israel The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a 'bargaining chip' and a 'weapon of war' against the Gaza Strip. The UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on the X platform on April 22: 'How much longer until hollow words of condemnation will translate into action to lift the siege, resume a ceasefire & save whatever is left of humanity?' 'It's been 50 days of siege on #Gaza imposed by the Israeli authorities. Hunger is spreading & deepening, deliberate & manmade. Gaza has become a land of desperation. Two million people: a majority of women & children are undergoing collective punishment. The wounded, sick & elderly are deprived of medical supplies & care.' 'Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have assistance ready to get into Gaza. This includes nearly 3,000 UNRWA trucks of lifesaving aid. Basic supplies meant for people in need are expiring. Humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip + a weapon of war. The siege must be lifted, supplies must flow in, the hostages must be released, the ceasefire must resume,' Lazzarini said.
Al-Ahram Weekly
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Hamas delegation in Cairo discusses ending Israeli war and reconstructing Gaza - Foreign Affairs
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:
Egypt Today
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Hamas agrees to form independent national committee for running Gaza
File- The massacres in al-Mawasi region, the area designated as a humanitarian zone in Western Khan younis- photo from Palestinian journalists in Gaza CAIRO – 9 March 2025: Hamas delegation in Cairo praises Egypt's mediation efforts, agreeing to a Community Support Committee, composed of independent national figures, to manage the Gaza Strip until Palestinian reconciliation is achieved and general elections are held at all national presidential, and legislative levels. The movement's approval came during a meeting for a delegation from the Hamas headed by Mohammed Darwish, Chairman of the movement's leadership council and head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad, Hamas said in a statement on Sunday. The meeting addressed several important issues in a positive and responsible manner, particularly the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the various stages of the prisoner exchange process. The Hamas delegation expressed its gratitude and appreciation for Egypt's efforts in the past period, especially in countering displacement plans. It also welcomed the outcomes of the Arab Summit, particularly the plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, and reaffirmed the Palestinian people's inalienable rights. The delegation stressed the need to adhere to all terms of the agreement, to move immediately to the second phase of negotiations, and to open the border crossings to allow the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss the continuation of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas announced on Saturday that there are "positive indications" regarding the negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The negotiations continue while Israel has halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, the day after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, expired. Meanwhile, Israel is set to send a delegation to the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday to advance talks regarding Gaza ceasefire, according to an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office today. The Israeli delegation's visit comes in acceptance of an invitation from mediators.
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Hamas welcomes Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan, calls for ensuring its success - War on Gaza
Hamas welcomed Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan and called for providing means for its success, following an emergency summit in Cairo where Arab states adopted the Egyptian proposal on Tuesday. Egypt has developed a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, to counter the proposal of U.S. President Donald Trump's to take control of Gaza and displace its Palestinian population. In an official statement on its Telegram channel, Hamas asserted that the Arab Summit in Cairo represents "an advanced stage of Arab and Islamic solidarity" in support of the Palestinian cause. "We welcome the Gaza reconstruction plan adopted in the summit's final statement and call for ensuring all necessary resources for its success," Hamas said also expressing its "support for the formation of the Community Support Committee to oversee relief efforts, reconstruction and governance in Gaza," Hamas also expressed appreciation for Egypt's efforts in organizing an international conference dedicated to Gaza's reconstruction. During his speech at the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced that Cairo will host a Gaza reconstruction conference in April and establish a dedicated fund for reconstruction efforts. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated in a press conference on Tuesday following the summit that Egypt's reconstruction plan has officially become 'the Arab plan' after receiving unanimous approval from all Arab states during the Extraordinary Arab Summit. Moreover, Hamas expressed its support for the summit's commitment to strengthening Palestinian national institutions, stressing that they should embody the aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence by holding legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
