CAIRO (AP) — Egypt sent a high-level delegation to Israel on Friday with the hope of brokering a cease-fire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, two officials said. At the same time, it warned that a possible Israeli offensive focused on Gaza’s city of Rafah — on the border with Egypt — could have catastrophic consequences for regional stability.
Egypt’s top intelligence official, Abbas Kamel, is leading the delegation and plans to discuss with Israel a “new vision” for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, an Egyptian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the mission freely.
As the war drags on and casualties mount, there has been growing international pressure for Hamas and Israel to reach an agreement on a cease fire.
Friday’s talks will focus at first on a limited exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, and the return of a significant number of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza “with minimum restrictions,” the Egyptian official said.
Private security firm says missile fire seen off the Yemen coast in the Red Sea near crucial strait
China, Australia to boost ties
Beijing slams Washington on illegal claims of demarcation of seabed
Slavia Prague fined $93,000 for crowd violence at Europa League game
World reaction to the terror attack in Moscow
China willing to expand cooperation with Australia: Wang Yi
Pressure mounts on Israel to spare Rafah
Madrid replacements too good for Sociedad and take step closer to La Liga title
Beijing slams Washington on illegal claims of demarcation of seabed