All parties are back to Gaza ceasefire negotiations, source

CAIRO – 7 May 2024:  Egyptian high-level source affirmed that there is an agreement between all parties to return to Gaza ceasefire negotiating track.

It was added that Egypt has informed Israel of the ‘seriousness of the escalation’, and that ‘Cairo is ready to deal with all scenarios’

The source noted that the Qatari and US delegations have continued, Tuesday, their discussions with both of Egypt’s and Hamas delegations, and that negotiations are set to be resumed between all parties in Cairo tomorrow.

The source also denied what was reported by Israeli media regarding Egypt assuming security responsibilities inside the Gaza Strip.

“it’ not true what was circulated in the Israeli media regarding Egypt assuming any security responsibilities inside the Gaza Strip of any kind,” the source said

On Monday, Hamas movement informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators of the movement’s approval of the Egyptian proposal on a ceasefire agreement in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the movement announced that Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, made a phone call with Egyptian Minister of Intelligence Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, informing them the Hamas' approval of the proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement.

The movement’s approval came after intensified efforts made by Egypt and other international parties to contain the situation and prevent escalation of the war when the Israeli army called on residents east of Rafah city in the Gaza Strip to evacuate the area immediately ahead of a ground offensive against the city.

According to Al Qahera News, the Egyptian proposal entails the release of 20-40 captives currently held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners serving lengthy sentences or who are elderly.