Islamic Jihad chief in Cairo as Gaza ceasefire efforts falter overnight

Chief political negotiator for Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Mohammed al-Hindi is arriving in Cairo on Thursday morning to pursue a ceasefire with Israel over Gaza, according to anonymous Egyptian sources speaking to al-Araby al-Jadeed.

The visit came after two days of Israeli bombardment on Gaza which has claimed the lives of key PIJ commanders, including rocket commander Ali Ghali who was killed on Thursday morning.

The death toll now stands at 25, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza. No Israelis have been injured or killed.

Al-Hindi’s visit to Cairo came after an official invitation from Egyptian intelligence services, according to the sources, speaking to al-Araby al-Jadeed. 

Egypt has previously requested the attendance of PIJ secretary general Ziad al-Nakhala, to pursue a ceasefire between al-Quds brigade fighters and Israeli occupying forces, but was offered the attendance of al-Hindi instead.  

Ceasefire efforts have faltered through the night, as Israel has continued to strike apartment buildings from the skies above Gaza. 

This week's bloody conflict began when the Israeli army carried out an airstrike on Tuesday which killed three of PIJ's leaders, who Israel claimed "threatened" its security. The attack, using 40 warplanes, killed mainly women and children. 

In an unprecedented response, resistance groups in Gaza remained silent for more than 36 hours before launching a series of retaliatory attacks on Israeli cities, which in turn enforced concerns and fears among Palestinian residents of Gaza. 

"None of us wants war… but the absolute silence adopted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad put us under real pressure and fear," Mariam al-Haj Ali, a Gaza-based woman, told The New Arab, expressed fears of a new military escalation with Israel.

Now Palestinian resistance forces have responded publicly, with statements and strikes. 

The group has since pledged to halt its rocket attacks on settlements in southern Israel - but only if Israel agrees to cease targeting PIJ commanders.