Hamas begins Cairo meetings on Gaza ceasefire implementation

CAIRO: Hamas said on Saturday that discussions had started in Cairo with mediators and Palestinian groups on completing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and preparing arrangements for the second phase.

In a video statement, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the meetings were aimed at securing full implementation of the first phase, including ending what he called Israeli violations, reopening border crossings and allowing humanitarian assistance to enter the Gaza Strip.

Qassem said the talks would also cover matters tied to the second phase of the agreement, including proposals related to the deployment of international forces in Gaza and the disarmament of Palestinian factions. He said Hamas was approaching the negotiations with what he described as national responsibility and was placing the interests of the Palestinian people at the centre of its political efforts. He added that the movement was seeking to prevent a return to fighting in Gaza and protect Palestinians in the enclave.

Hamas also said a senior delegation had arrived for talks with Egyptian officials on completing implementation of the first stage of the ceasefire deal and putting in place mechanisms to move to the second stage. The delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's leader in Gaza and its chief negotiator.

Ceasefire framework and next phase

Donald Trump had announced a 20-point plan in September setting out a ceasefire framework. It includes the release of Israeli captives, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, the establishment of a technocratic administration and the deployment of an international stabilisation force, along with a call for Hamas to disarm.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement included a truce and a prisoner swap between Israel and Palestinian factions. Palestinian sources said Israel had continued to breach the agreement on an almost daily basis.

Under the second phase, Israel is expected to carry out additional withdrawals from the territory, while an international stabilisation force would take over security responsibilities, including helping facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.

Casualty figures

Palestinian figures put Israel's military campaign in Gaza since October 2023 as having killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 173,000, most of them women and children.

Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, the Israeli army has killed at least 947 Palestinians and injured 2,935 others in near-daily attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.