A delegation of senior Hamas leaders arrived in Cairo early Saturday for discussions with Egyptian officials regarding a ceasefire agreement, as stated by Hamas.
The delegation, led by Chairman of the Hamas Leadership Council Muhammad Darwish, includes key leaders such as Khaled Meshaal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, and Eng. Nizar Awadallah.
"The delegation has initiated meetings with Egyptian officials to discuss Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire, ending the conflict, and the possibility of a prisoner exchange as part of a comprehensive agreement," stated Hamas in a press release on Saturday.
The discussions will also focus on addressing the impact of what Hamas refers to as Israel's "starvation tactics" on Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the critical need for humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies to reach the besieged area. Israel enforced a complete humanitarian blockade on Gaza on March 2, halting the entry of essential supplies.
An Egyptian official informed CNN that Israel has been invited to participate in negotiations on Monday, although it remains uncertain whether Israel will accept the invitation.
Related article UN runs out of food in Gaza two months after Israel's total blockade
CNN has reached out to Hamas for insights into the specifics of their ceasefire proposal.
An Israeli source familiar with the situation disclosed to CNN that Israel has not yet received a new offer from the mediators.
"Israel responds only to offers conveyed by the mediators," the source clarified.
The head of Mossad, David Barnea, engaged in ceasefire discussions in Doha, Qatar, earlier this week. However, there have been no significant breakthroughs reported thus far.
President Donald Trump remarked on Friday that he had emphasized the importance of aiding Gaza to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, "We must provide assistance to Gaza." While en route to Italy, Trump acknowledged the urgent need for medical and food supplies in the region.
The president, whose administration has consistently supported Israel, did not provide specifics on the actions the US is taking to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"The upcoming days will be crucial," remarked Jonathan Whitall on Saturday from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Gaza. "Currently, survival is a challenge in Gaza. Those not affected by bombings and gunfire are facing slow deterioration." A day earlier, the World Food Programme announced a depletion of food stocks in Gaza.
Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have underscored that the humanitarian blockade is part of a strategy to pressurize Hamas, coupled with intensified Israeli attacks on Gaza with the aim of dismantling Hamas and securing the release of the remaining 59 Israeli hostages.
Earlier this month, Israel proposed a ceasefire plan that called for the disarmament of Gaza without ensuring an end to the conflict, crossing two of Hamas' non-negotiable boundaries.
Since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, over 2,111 Palestinians have lost their lives, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.