A delegation from Hamas arrived in Egypt on Saturday for ongoing discussions regarding a proposed ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, as reported by Egyptian state-affiliated media outlet Al-Qahera News.
According to an unnamed high-ranking source quoted by Al-Qahera News, significant headway has been made in the negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. Egyptian mediators have reportedly reached a consensus on the majority of contentious issues under discussion.
Hamas confirmed that its representatives were en route to Cairo to continue talks on a truce in Gaza. Meanwhile, the United Nations issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of Israel’s threatened offensive in the city of Rafah, cautioning that it could result in a “bloodbath.”
Foreign mediators have been awaiting a response from Hamas on a proposal to cease hostilities for a 40-day period and facilitate the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized on Friday that Hamas stood as the primary obstacle to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. Talks have faced obstacles, including Hamas’s insistence on a lasting peace agreement and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated promises to eliminate the remaining fighters in Rafah.
Blinken reiterated Washington’s opposition to the proposed offensive in Rafah, pointing out the absence of a civilian protection plan presented by Israel. Concerns have been raised by humanitarian organizations and the UN over the potential impact of an attack on Rafah, where a large population has sought refuge.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern about the dire consequences of a military operation in Rafah, warning that it could further strain an already fragile health system in the region.
Despite these grave concerns, the UN health agency has initiated contingency plans to prepare for potential outcomes, including the restoration of health facilities and stockpiling of essential supplies. However, WHO officials emphasized that the existing health infrastructure may not be equipped to handle the devastation that could result from a large-scale incursion into Rafah.
