Hamas delegation, Egypt spy chief hold talks on Gaza plan: Official

CAIRO – A Hamas delegation began a meeting with Egypt’s spy chief on Aug 16 to discuss ways to advance the implementation of a post-war plan for Gaza, an official from the Palestinian group told AFP.

Hamas had said in late July that it was ready to hand over its weapons to a nascent technical committee set to govern Gaza, as part of a 15-point plan announced by US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the plan, vowing there would be no withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza until the full disarmament of Hamas.

The delegation, led by Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt on the evening of Aug 15, ahead of a visit by Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner to the region.

The delegation began a meeting with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein, the Hamas official said.

He added that talks would cover “the latest developments in the negotiations and the efforts being made to compel Israel to abide by the agreement, which includes the 15-point roadmap, and to begin its implementation”.

“The delegation will brief Egyptian officials on Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, and Hayya will emphasise the movement’s commitment and readiness to implement the agreement as soon as Israel announces its commitment to it.”

Another Hamas source told AFP that a meeting was being arranged between the Hamas negotiating delegation, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, and US officials during Kushner’s visit to Egypt this week, to discuss obstacles related to the agreement.

The source added that contacts were under way with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators “to compel Israel to abide by the agreement”.

Kushner is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt this week in a bid to bridge the gaps in the Gaza plan rejected by Netanyahu. AFP