Hamas leader Haniyeh expresses appreciation for Egypt’s stance

CAIRO – 26 October 2023: Head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian stance whether from presidency, government or people.

During a phone call with Chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, both parties discussed the latest developments related to the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by Hamas.

Kamel for his part, reviewed all efforts made by Egypt to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza and address the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.

The foreign ministers of Egypt and eight other Arab countries reiterated on Thursday rejection of the forced displacement of the Palestinian people and attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause at the expense of the Palestinian people and the other peoples in the region.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Morocco, it was stated that such attempts are a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and are considered war crimes.

The statement comes in the wake of the Cairo Summit for Peace, that was held on Saturday, and in light of the unrelenting Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, the growing escalation in the Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the continued fall of innocent victims.

The statement condemned the targeting of civilians, infrastructure and civilian facilities. It also considered attempts to drive Palestinians out of their lands a flagrant breach of international law and a war crime.

Well-informed sources have reported intensified coordination between Egypt and Qatar to ensure the release of the captives taken by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

On 7 October, Hamas launched an attack against Israeli cities, where it took dozens of Israelis captives. According to the Islamist group, it currently holds around 200-250 captives.

Earlier this week, Egyptian-Qatari diplomacy has also facilitated the release of two elderly women by Hamas, which are Nurit Cooper (80) and Yocheved Lifshitz (85), for compelling humanitarian and health reasons.

Hamas also freed the release comes days after two American women, Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan, were freed.

Hamas also released on Friday two American women, Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan.