A Hamas delegation is expected to travel to Cairo on Monday for talks intended to mediate a truce, an individual with knowledge of the situation told the sources on Sunday. This comes at the same time when peace brokers are working harder to come to a deal ahead of Israel’s anticipated invasion of the southern city of Rafah.
The unnamed official stated that the team will like to discuss Israel‘s response to a ceasefire proposal that Hamas sent to mediators in Qatar and Egypt.
He did not disclose the details of the most recent proposals, but a person with knowledge of the talks told the sources that Hamas is expected to respond to Israel’s most recent request, made on Saturday, for a phased ceasefire in Gaza.
The source claimed that this included an agreement to accept the release of less than 40 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, as well as a second phase of a truce that includes a “period of sustained calm”—Israel’s compromise response to a Hamas demand for a permanent ceasefire.
After the first phase, the source said, Israel would allow unhindered passage between the north and south of Gaza and would partially withdraw its forces from the area.
U.S. President Joe Biden discussed efforts to secure the release of hostages held after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and an urgent ceasefire in Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, according to the White House.
According to the report, they also talked about accelerating the delivery of aid and making plans to establish new borders into Gaza.