CAIRO: The state-affiliated Al-Qahera News said on Thursday that Egypt has received positive indications from Hamas regarding a possible ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel, citing a high-ranking source.
Cairo has been involved in months of discussions for a truce intended to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip, among other mediators Doha and Washington.
Al-Qahera cited the source as stating, “Hamas leaders have informed us that they are studying the truce proposal seriously and positively.”
The anonymous source stated that it was anticipated that Hamas will react to the plan in the upcoming days.
The source also stated that Egypt has “received positive signs from the Palestinian movement signalling its aspiration for a ceasefire” after inviting Hamas officials to meetings in Cairo.
The remarks were made the day after Egypt’s top intelligence officer, Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with Hamas delegates in Doha.
Mediation efforts have not succeeded in ending the war, with the exception of a seven-day ceasefire in November, during which over 100 hostages were freed in return for 240 Palestinian inmates detained in Israeli jails.
