Egyptian Hamas-intelligence Discuss Ceasefire Efforts In Gaza

The condition of Al Shifa Gaza/DOK WHO Hospital via news.un.org

JAKARTA - Delegation from the Palestinian fighter movement, Hamas, held talks with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel in Cairo on Sunday (7/4) to discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well as a hostage exchange deal with Israel.

"The delegation emphasizes Hamas' demands, namely the desire to reach an agreement that will lead to a complete cessation of hostilities, and the withdrawal of occupation troops from the Gaza Strip," Hamas said in a statement quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, April 8.

Hamas also demanded voluntary repatriation of refugees to their home areas, assistance for Palestinians, and the start of reconstruction of various infrastructures destroyed by Israeli attacks.

The group confirmed the need to reach a hostage exchange agreement in which imprisoned Palestinians are released, in exchange for the release of Israelis detained by Hamas.

Hamas affirmed his determination - along with all Palestinian powers and factions - to achieve our national goals and establish a Palestinian state with full sovereignty and its capital city in Jerusalem, the right to return and determine its own destiny," he said.

Earlier on Sunday (7/4), Israeli media reported that Israel's War Council decided to send delegates to Cairo to participate in negotiations in order to reach an agreement to exchange hostages with Hamas.

Qatar, Egypt, and the US are trying to reach an agreement on the exchange of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, as the first pause in fighting only lasted a week at the end of November 2023.

In short, the previous ceasefire period caused a limited number of aids entering the Gaza Strip and hampered the hostage exchange process.

Israel has detained 9,100 Palestinians in its prisons, while it is estimated that 134 Israelis were held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas announced the deaths of 70 Israelis held hostage as a result of being hit by Israeli airstrikes.

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip since the initial cross-border attack last October by Hamas. About 1,200 people were reported killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, nearly 33,200 Palestinians have been killed and 75,900 people injured in mass destruction and lack of basic necessities.

Israel has also imposed a blockade crippling the Gaza Strip, causing its residents - especially residents of northern Gaza - to be on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war forced 85 percent of Gaza's population to flee amid food shortages, clean water, and medicines, while 60 percent of infrastructure in the enclave has been damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations.