A delegation from Hamas wrapped up high-level diplomatic talks in Egypt and Türkiye in a bid to break the Gaza ceasefire deadlock.
The talks in Cairo involved discussions with the Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza and mediators, while the Hamas delegation met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.
Cairo Talks
Cairo hosted talks between Mladenov, a Hamas delegation led by Khalil Al-Hayya, Palestinian factions’ representatives and mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye over Thursday and Friday to discuss the next steps in the implementation of Phase Two of the Gaza peace plan.
According to Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, citing unnamed sources, the talks were marked by “positive atmosphere,” as all parties underscored commitment to implementing all the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.
The sources said that Hamas insists on the full implementation of the Sharm Al-Sheikh Summit’s outcomes and Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, with plans to resume talks in Cairo next week.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Mladenov on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the implementation of the second phase of Gaza’s peace plan.
During the meeting, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s full support for Mladenov’s efforts to follow up on commitments under phase two of the plan, stressing the need to focus on implementing its provisions amid the ongoing military tensions in the region, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Hamas Position
In a statement, Hamas and the Palestinian factions called for the full and faithful implementation of the plan’s first phase. They also emphasized the need for the immediate formation of a Palestinian National Transitional Committee to govern the Strip, as part of the plan’s phase two.
This committee will oversee civil administration and essential services to restore stability and pave the way for reconstruction, the statement noted.
Disarmament Deadlock
The second phase of the peace plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the comprehensive demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. However, this remains a sticking issue as the Palestinian movement has repeatedly rejected giving up its weapons before complete Israeli withdrawal.
During talks in Cairo, Hamas conveyed to mediators that it will not discuss abandoning its weapons without guarantees that Israel will fully withdraw from Gaza in accordance with the disarmament plan presented by the Board of Peace, Reuters reported citing three sources.
Echoing a similar position, a Palestinian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas told mediators in Cairo that it insists on Israeli withdrawal, deployment of stabilization forces, and formation of a police force before taking any steps on disarmament.
Istanbul Meeting
On Saturday, Turkish President Erdogan received a delegation from Hamas at his Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul, reported Anadolu Agency.
The meeting was confirmed by the Turkish Directorate of Communications, which said that the meeting discussed the current situation in Gaza.
Following the meeting, Hamas issued a statement clarifying that its delegation included Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, and Zaher Jabarīn, as well as President of the Leadership Council Muhammad Darwish.
The movement said that they discussed the recent developments in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need to implement the ceasefire agreement, facilitate aid delivery into the Strip, and securing normal life for its population.
Hamas also highlighted the grave Israeli violations in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the dangers of approving the death penalty law.
