Egypt holds meetings with Hamas and Islamic Jihad on long-term ceasefire with Israel

Many political issues were discussed during a meeting between Egyptian officials and Palestinian leaders of the Islamic Hamas and Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Cairo on Monday, according to Palestinian and Egyptian sources.

A long-term ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance in Gaza is among the most crucial topics that were discussed with Egypt yesterday, a senior official at Hamas, who prefers to not mention his name, told The New Arab.

"Egypt is exerting much effort to achieve its goals of reaching a final agreement between the Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation," the source added. "The ceasefire will include the tensions in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem too."

On Monday, a delegation of Hamas headed by Ismail Haniya and a delegation of PIJ headed by Ziad al-Nakhala arrived in Egypt to participate in meetings with officials in Egypt on various political and humanitarian issues in the Palestinian territories.

"The talks in Cairo this time are based on specific files that have close ties to each other, namely improving the living conditions in the Gaza Strip, working to continue the existing calm, and ensuring its expansion," the source noted.

The source added that Egypt informed both Hamas and PIJ that it is going to increase the trade exchange between Gaza and Egypt and will allow new goods to enter Gaza.

Additionally, Egypt will increase the amount of electricity supplied to Gaza from 30 megawatts to 100 megawatts at least to help locals in Gaza overcome their 16-year electricity crisis, the official explained.

In turn, both Hamas and PIJ informed Egypt that they will not abide by any agreements unless Israel stops its violations against the Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, Dawood Shihab, spokesman of the PIJ, said to TNA.

"The meetings between the PIJ leadership and the Egyptian side were fruitful and positive, explaining that the movement sensed an Egyptian keenness to continue efforts and endeavours in support of the people and the Palestinian cause and to stop the unjust Israeli aggression against our people," Shihab added.

He pointed out that the meetings in Cairo were also a political effort that represented support for the popular Palestinian uprising in the face of the occupation. Shihab also stressed that the movement affirmed its firm position in defending the Palestinian people, land and sanctities.

"Egypt has a fundamental role and historical weight in knowing and understanding the international complexities and the nature of the Israeli occupation, and we appreciate its efforts and endeavours that have always supported the Palestinian people," he said. 

He also pointed out that an atmosphere of frankness, clarity and high positivity prevailed in the Cairo meetings, adding "Egyptians fully understand the positions of the Palestinian people and their resistance, and they showed great concern for the unity of the ranks, the position and the Palestinian people."