Report: Head of Egyptian intelligence visited Tel Aviv to negotiate Gaza agreement

A source in the Arabic media claims that the Head of Egyptian intelligence visited Israel on Wednesday to negotiate the Gaza ceasefire and promote a lasting solution to problems posed by the Hamas-run territory.

By: World Israel News Staff

A report in the Arabic daily newspaper Al-Hayat claimed that Egyptian Major General Abbas Kamel was in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, reportedly to discuss finalizing a truce agreement to head off further violent rioting, arson attacks and rocket strikes orchestrated by the Hamas terror group, which rules the Gaza Strip.

The Egyptian intelligence chief is attempting to broker an agreement that would also provide civilian infrastructure to Gaza, and lead to an prisoner exchange, according to Al-Hayat.

Hamas currently holds several Israeli civilians captive, in addition to the remains of two Israeli soldiers, Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, all of whom the terror group has refused to release.

While the current calm has been portrayed by Hamas as a “ceasefire” facilitated by Egypt and the United Nations, Israel has denied any agreement has been reached, maintaining instead that the Jewish state is “meeting calm with calm.”

Regardless, Hamas rocket attacks have stopped for the time-being and airborne arson attacks, which have destroyed thousands of acres of Israeli territory causing millions of dollars in damage, seem to be decreasing.

Leaders in southern Israeli communities and politicians such as Naftali Bennett are demanding a firm stand on Hamas terror, warning that piecemeal truces merely give the terror organization a chance to regroup and plan new attacks.

Kamel is also reportedly scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. That meeting will take place in Ramallah, the PA’s seat of power.

While Abbas’ Fatah party and Hamas are ostensibly on the process of hammering out a “unity” government, little progress has been made on that front and the two factions remain bitter rivals. On Wednesday, Abbas accused Hamas of not taking the unity pact seriously, labeling US officials “liars” in the same address.

EgyptGaza ceasefireHamasMahmoud Abbas