Glimmer of Hope: Israeli Delegation in Cairo to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire and Hostages
Following Hamas’ release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Qatari channel Al-Arabi reported that a Mossad delegation is expected to negotiate an agreement in Cairo this evening to end the Gaza conflict. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas and Israel are in talks about a ceasefire, which would include the release of more hostages and the restoration of humanitarian aid to the area.
Can Israel and Hamas really return to the negotiation table?
Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha told Al Jazeera that Edan Alexander’s release aims to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and foster discussions for a comprehensive agreement. He added:
“We expect the U.S. to announce extensive negotiations leading to a ceasefire and urge them to pressure Israel.”
Before the arrival of the Israeli delegation in Cairo, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held discussions with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani regarding collaborative efforts with the U.S. to reinstate a ceasefire in Gaza. They also addressed the Arab-Islamic initiative for the recovery of Gaza and an upcoming international conference in Cairo involving the Palestinian Authority and the UN, which aims to achieve a comprehensive agreement with Hamas and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area.
The two ministers deliberated on the necessary actions to carry out the forthcoming steps for the implementation of the Arab-Islamic Plan, formulated by Egypt, aimed at the prompt recovery and reconstruction of Gaza…
IMAGE: Israelis await the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025 (Source Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Ahram Online reports…
Israeli delegation to arrive in Cairo Monday for Gaza ceasefire, aid talks: WSJ
An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to reach a comprehensive deal with Hamas and coordinate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Israeli delegation’s visit coincides with intensive Egyptian-Qatari mediation efforts, in coordination with the US, to end the war in Gaza, secure an exchange of captives and detainees, and ensure humanitarian aid entry into the strip. The Gaza ceasefire negotiations would begin immediately after Hamas releases US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander later on Monday, a US source told CNN.
On Sunday, Hamas announced it would release Alexander, who grew up in the US and was captured by the Palestinian resistance group on 7 October 2023, in a gesture of goodwill to push forward truce talks. The group’s decision followed the direct talks with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Doha.
On Monday, Egypt and Qatar praised Hamas’ decision to release Alexander as an encouraging step toward the return of the two sides to the negotiation table to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Last week, Cairo and Doha reaffirmed that both countries would continue their unified efforts to put an end to the war and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On 18 March, Israel resumed its genocidal war on Gaza after unilaterally ending the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which Egypt, Qatar, and the US mediated.
Since 2 March, Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid to Gaza, putting more than two million Palestinians on the brink of famine.
