Hamas delegation in Cairo: Attempt to break through to second phase of Gaza negotiations

A Hamas delegation opened a round of talks in Cairo with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Palestinian factions, aiming to stabilize the ceasefire and advance to the second phase of Trump's plan. The discussions focus on the entry of a technocratic committee to govern Gaza, deployment of an international stabilization force, and the issue of weapons. Hamas brought a new compromise proposal that for the first time includes reference to 'military infrastructure,' but did not agree to full disarmament. The mediators hope for flexibility, but Egyptian officials are cautious about optimistic assessments due to remaining disagreements.

Hamas's negotiating delegation opened a new round of talks in Cairo with senior Egyptian officials, representatives of Qatar and Turkey, and leaders of Palestinian factions, in an attempt to stabilize the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and advance to the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan. The delegation arrived in the Egyptian capital yesterday (Tuesday), after Hamas announced that the discussions would focus on implementing commitments agreed upon in Sharm el-Sheikh, expanding humanitarian aid, and formulating security and administrative arrangements for the future of the Strip. According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Cairo hopes that Hamas will show flexibility to enable a breakthrough, but Egyptian officials are cautious about optimistic assessments due to remaining disagreements and the need to examine whether Israel is ready to fulfill its next-phase commitments. At the center of the talks are three issues: the entry of the Palestinian technocratic committee to govern Gaza, the deployment of the international stabilization force, and the issue of Hamas and faction weapons. The discussion on the stabilization force gained momentum after Israel原则上 approved the entry of a 'peace force' into a limited area in the southern Strip. An Egyptian source said that Cairo now seeks to clarify the force's composition, powers, deployment timeline, and its relationship with the new civilian committee. Meanwhile, the Palestinian delegation is expected to review the outcomes of talks in Washington between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to understand whether the US administration intends to pressure Israel to advance a gradual withdrawal. Hamas emphasizes that progress is conditional on opening crossings, increasing aid, and stopping ongoing Israeli attacks across the Strip. The newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Hamas brought to Cairo a new compromise proposal on the weapons issue, which for the first time includes reference to 'military infrastructure,' a concept Hamas previously opposed including, but its meaning will be determined in negotiations. The report does not indicate that Hamas agreed to full disarmament, but rather a willingness to discuss a phased and agreed-upon formula.