Hamas to send delegation to Egypt for additional ceasefire discussions | Global News

Hamas Delegation to Egypt for Ceasefire Talks Signals Progress in Gaza Conflict

In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas announced on Thursday that it would be sending a delegation to Egypt for further ceasefire talks. This move comes as international mediators work tirelessly to broker an agreement between Israel and the militant group to bring an end to the war.

After months of negotiations, there are signs of progress in the ceasefire efforts, with Egyptian and American mediators reporting signs of compromise in recent days. However, the key question remains whether Israel will accept an end to the war without achieving its goal of destroying Hamas.

The stakes in the ceasefire negotiations were highlighted in a new UN report, which stated that it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes destroyed by nearly seven months of Israeli bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza. The report warned that the damage to the economy would have long-lasting effects on development.

The proposed three-stage process put forward by US and Egyptian mediators, with apparent acceptance from Israel, includes an immediate six-week ceasefire and partial release of Israeli hostages, followed by negotiations for a “permanent calm” that involves some form of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas is seeking guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war.

Hamas officials have shown mixed reactions to the proposal, but the supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, expressed a positive spirit towards studying the ceasefire proposal. The delegation’s trip to Cairo aims to continue discussions and work towards an agreement.

The hope is that a deal will bring an end to a conflict that has taken a heavy toll on Palestinians and caused widespread destruction in Gaza. The fate of the agreement now rests on whether Hamas will accept the terms and postpone a feared assault on Rafah. The pressure is mounting as international mediators push for a resolution to the conflict.