Hamas says Gaza crisis linked to Jerusalem
A delegation of high-ranking Hamas representatives met with Egypt's intelligence chief to discuss a prisoner exchange deal with Israel and a potential truce in Gaza, but Hamas wants to include Jerusalem as well.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — In a brief statement on Oct. 6, the Palestinian Hamas movement denied media reports that a long-term truce has been reached with Israel during talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo.
A delegation of high-ranking Hamas officials arrived in Cairo on Oct. 3 for talks with Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena.
After the meeting, Hamas said in a statement that the talks had focused on the issue of Jerusalem, a prisoner exchange deal, a truce with Israel and Israeli inflexibility.
The Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site reported Oct. 5 that Yaron Blum, the Israeli coordinator for negotiating the return of prisoners of war and those gone missing in action, had arrived in Cairo on Sept. 30 ahead of the Hamas delegation’s visit. According to the report, Blum submitted to Egypt Israel’s outline for a prisoner swap deal.
