Khalil Al-Hayya (right), member of the Political Bureau and Vice President of the Hamas movement in Gaza, who arrived in Cairo today (social media sites)
An informed source told Al Jazeera Net that the delegation of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), headed by Khalil al-Hayya, a member of the political bureau, and the movement’s deputy head in Gaza, Yahya al-Sinwar, who arrived in Cairo today, will present his movement’s position in a meeting that will precede the round of discussions, which will take place tonight with the Egyptian intelligence director, Ahmed. Abd Elkhalek.
The source confirmed that the Hamas movement is still adhering to its position that it presented to the mediators on the 14th of last month, which is based on “a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced to their places of residence, freedom of movement of people, relief and shelter,” and a serious prisoner exchange deal. This is according to the statement issued by the movement yesterday, Saturday, April 6.
The source indicated that the delegation’s travel came after the mediators’ request for the movement to present its position before the start of the negotiations, in which, alongside the head of Egyptian intelligence, the head of the American intelligence, William Burns, the heads of the Mossad, David Barnea, the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, and the Israeli army delegate in the negotiations, Major General Reserve Nitzan Alon, in addition to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
In this context, the Hebrew Walla website quoted a senior Israeli official claiming that “the Israeli negotiating delegation will work to improve the mediators’ proposal until the end, and try to return to a formula that is likely to lead, in the negotiating delegation’s opinion, to an agreement.”
The Hebrew Channel 12 said that there is a remarkable development in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, noting that “the Israeli negotiating delegation headed by the head of the Mossad received, for the first time, a mandate from Netanyahu to formulate the text of an agreement for a deal with Hamas.”
Previously, Netanyahu limited the powers of the delegation within fixed terms and powers and did not give it the freedom to negotiate, but in the end the approval of the deal will take place in the Cabinet Council for Security and Political Affairs.
The Hebrew Intelli Times website stated, “Today’s news about the withdrawal of the 98th Division from Gaza is likely to be part of a move aimed at bringing about a breakthrough in the exchange deal talks in Cairo, along with what was said to be an “expanded mandate” in the conduct of the negotiations.
As attention turns to today's negotiations, Israeli and mediator estimates prevailed regarding the completion of a humanitarian truce agreement and a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the days of Eid al-Fitr.
Source: Al Jazeera