During the Ministry of Endowments’ celebration of Laylat al-Qadr on Saturday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that Egypt does not and will not hesitate to make every effort to stop the fighting and ensure that aid continues reaching Gaza.
He also affirmed Egypt’s firm position and tireless efforts towards the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights and establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Prisoner exchange talks underway
A leading delegation from the Hamas movement, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, will arrive in Cairo on Sunday to begin talks on a prisoner exchange deal.
Hamas confirmed, in a statement, that it continues to adhere to its position presented on March 14, which was approved on March 25, stressing that these are natural demands to end the aggression, and they will not be given up.
It explained that: “The demands of our people and national forces are for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced to their places of residence, freedom of movement of people, relief and shelter, and the completion of a serious prisoner exchange deal.”
The official Israeli radio said on Saturday that the Israeli government has not yet decided to send its delegation, led by the head of the Mossad, to the prisoner talks in Cairo.
Were it to decide to send a delegation it will happen on Monday, the radio said.
The discussions are expected to begin in the presence of the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns.
Point of contention remains
A report by the Wall Street Journal revealed a point of contention which may hinder attempts to reach a truce and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza Strip.
The newspaper reported that the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza emerges as a major issue at the heart of the truce negotiations.
US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resolve this issue during a phone call, according to US officials.
