Delegations from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey convened in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, alongside representatives from the United States. This meeting, reported by Al-Qahera News, which has connections to Egyptian intelligence, included high-ranking officials such as the intelligence chiefs of Egypt and Turkey, as well as the Prime Minister of Qatar.
The discussions focused on collaborating with the US to facilitate the successful rollout of the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which officially began on October 10 following two years of conflict. The gathering in Cairo occurred shortly after a senior delegation from Hamas engaged with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad to address the specifics of the upcoming phase of the truce.
This second phase is critical as it aims to tackle significant issues such as disarming Hamas, the establishment of a transitional authority, and the deployment of an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip. The discussions were framed around identifying and overcoming obstacles to ensure that the ceasefire remains intact, with emphasis on minimizing violations.
Both Israel and Hamas have previously accused each other of breaching the truce. Since the initiation of the ceasefire, the Gaza health ministry has reported that Israeli fire has resulted in the deaths of over 300 Palestinians, underscoring the fragility of the agreement.
During the discussions, the delegations also committed to enhancing coordination with the Civil-Military Coordination Centre, a monitoring body established by the US and its allies in southern Israel to oversee compliance with the ceasefire. The ongoing dialogues among the mediators highlight the complexity and urgency of stabilizing the region as they seek to navigate a path toward enduring peace.
