Israel-Gaza war: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visits Egypt amid intensive talks on new ceasefire
- Ismail Haniyeh typically intervenes in diplomacy publicly only when progress seems likely. He last travelled to Egypt before the only ceasefire agreement
- Israel was insisting all remaining women and infirm men among hostages be released, a source said. Hamas says it will discuss only a permanent ceasefire
The leader of Hamas made his first visit to Egypt for more than a month on Wednesday, a rare personal intervention in diplomacy amid what a source described as intensive talks on a new ceasefire to let aid reach Gaza and get hostages freed.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who normally lives in Qatar, typically intervenes in diplomacy publicly only when progress seems likely.
He last travelled to Egypt in early November before the announcement of the only agreement on a ceasefire in the war so far, a week-long pause during which more than 100 hostages were released.
Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group which is also holding hostages in Gaza, said its leader would also visit Egypt in coming days to discuss a possible end to the war.
A source briefed on negotiations said envoys were discussing which of the hostages still held by militants in Gaza could be freed in a new truce, and what prisoners Israel might release in return.
Israel was insisting all remaining women and infirm men among hostages be released, the source said, declining to be identified.