Egypt’s Intelligence Chief meets with Israeli negotiating team in Cairo

CAIRO – 28 April 2025: Head of Egyptian Intelligence Services Hassan Mahmoud Rashad met today with the Israeli negotiating team, headed by the Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, in Cairo to discuss proposals for reaching a ceasefire in Gaza Strip and a prisoner swap deal, Al Qahera News.

The meeting convened after Hamas delegation visited Egypt several days ago to discuss a five-year truce and a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. 

The meetings are a continuation of intensive Egyptian-Qatari efforts to reinstate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

A delegation from Hamas leaders arrived in Cairo at dawn on Saturday, led by Muhammad Darwish, Chairman of the Hamas Leadership Council, the movement announced in a statement.

The delegation members begun meetings with Egyptian officials to present Hamas's vision for a ceasefire, an end to the war, and a prisoner exchange, all within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the reconstruction of the Strip.

The delegation will also address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on the consequences of the ongoing blockade and the urgent need to deliver food, medicine, and other essential aid to the population of the strip.

In addition, discussions covered efforts to establish a community-based support committee to help administer Gaza, as well as internal Palestinian issues and strategies for addressing them, the statement added.

However, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv rejects the five-year truce proposal in the Gaza Strip, saying there is no chance of it happening.