Hamas delegation, Egypt spy chief hold talks on Gaza plan

A Hamas delegation met Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on Sunday to discuss ways to advance the implementation of a post-war plan for Gaza. Egypt's state news agency reported the meeting. The delegation, led by Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt on Saturday evening ahead of a visit by Trump envoy Jared Kushner.

What did Hamas and Egypt discuss in the Gaza talks?

The Middle East News Agency said the delegation reaffirmed its commitment to completing US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza. Hamas had said in late July it was ready to hand over weapons to a new technical committee set to govern the territory, under a 15-point plan from Trump's Board of Peace. The talks were held in the Mediterranean city of El-Alamein.

Why has Israel resisted the Gaza plan?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the plan, vowing there will be no withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza until Hamas fully disarms. A Hamas official told AFP the talks would cover recent developments in negotiations and efforts to compel Israel to abide by the 15-point roadmap. The delegation planned to brief Egyptian officials on what it called Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Hayya was expected to stress the movement's commitment and readiness to implement the agreement once Israel confirms its own commitment. 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. That meeting would address obstacles related to the agreement.

What role are other mediators playing in the Gaza plan?

The source said contacts were underway with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators to press Israel to abide by the agreement. Kushner is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt this coming week in an effort to bridge the gaps in the Gaza plan that Netanyahu has rejected. The outcome of his visit is expected to shape the pace of the plan's implementation.