Hamas meets Egyptian secret service chief, says Israeli attacks on Gaza threaten truce | News

The Cairo meeting comes as Palestinians in Gaza hold funerals for dozens of people killed in the latest Israeli attacks.

A high-ranking Hamas delegation met with Egypt’s intelligence chief in Cairo to discuss Israel’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the group said, as Palestinians in Gaza held funerals for dozens of people killed in recent Israeli attacks.

In a statement released on Sunday, the group said it reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement during its meeting with Hassan Rashad, but accused Israel of “continuing violations” which it said threatened to “undermine the agreement.”

Hamas, whose delegation included its exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, called for a “clear and defined mechanism” under the supervision of mediators to document and end any violations of the agreement.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States served as mediators between Hamas and Israel, securing the ceasefire that took effect last month.

The Palestinian group said it also discussed with Egypt ways to urgently resolve the problem of Hamas fighters holed up in tunnel networks in Rafah, Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.

He said communication with the fighters had been interrupted.

The meeting took place a day after Israeli forces launched a wave of airstrikes on Gaza, destroying homes, makeshift shelters and a car, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas members after the group sent a fighter into Israeli-controlled Gaza to attack Israeli soldiers there. The military said a local Hamas commander was among those killed in Saturday’s strikes.

Hamas rejected the allegations, saying Israel was looking for an excuse to kill. The group on Saturday called on mediators – Egypt, Qatar and the United States – to urgently intervene and pressure Israel to “immediately end these violations”.

According to the Gaza government media office, Israel has violated the ceasefire at least 497 times since it took effect on October 10.

Some 342 civilians were killed in these attacks, with the majority of victims being children, women and the elderly, according to the statement.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Gaza City, said Palestinians fear an expansion of Israeli attacks.

“It is very difficult to say that there is a slowdown in Israeli attacks on Gaza. We are seeing continued attacks beyond the ‘yellow line,’ which are the areas under Israeli control. We are seeing the systematic demolition and destruction of civilian infrastructure and monuments, and the transformation of this area into a barren landscape,” Abu Azzoum said.

“People here are concerned about the potential expansion of Israeli attacks to other areas of Gaza in the coming days. People are also skeptical about the possibility of moving from phase one of the ceasefire to phase two, as they are still waiting to see if the agreement can be maintained and if there will be progress in terms of humanitarian aid flows and reconstruction efforts,” he added.

The first phase of the ceasefire – based on US President Donald Trump’s peace plan – involves the exchange of captives and prisoners, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the opening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

So far, Hamas has released all living prisoners and returned dozens of bodies, except three. Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including prisoners serving life sentences. But it imposed restrictions on border crossings that continue to hamper the delivery of aid, according to humanitarian groups.

Israel also refused to allow the opening of the Rafah crossing.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the ceasefire calls for Gaza to be governed by a Palestinian technocratic committee, with oversight and oversight from the Trump-led “peace council.” The Council must also deploy a temporary International Stabilization Force to secure border areas, train Palestinian police and demilitarize Gaza.

Hamas, however, affirms that it will not lay down its arms as long as the Israeli occupation continues.

Tump’s plan also states that no Palestinians will be forced to leave Gaza and that “Israel will not occupy or annex” the territory.

The plan has now been approved by the United Nations Security Council.