Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is in the capital Cairo in Egypt on Wednesday. There, Haniyeh will hold talks with the Egyptian authorities. The talks will primarily be about developments in the war in Gaza, according to Hamas. This is Haniyeh’s second visit to Egypt since the war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7 this year. – There are many indications that negotiations for a new ceasefire are either underway or imminent, says Middle East researcher Erik Skare at the University of Oslo. He justifies this by the fact that Haniyeh is Hamas’ supreme leader. – But also because Egypt has had a historic role as a mediator between Israel and militant groups in Gaza, such as Hamas, says Skare. Israeli soldiers in one of Hamas’ many tunnels in Gaza. The picture was taken on 15 December. Photo: Ariel Schalit / AP Reuters: Intense discussions Several media outlets report that, according to anonymous sources, discussions about the possibilities for a new ceasefire and new handovers of hostages are underway. This has not yet been officially confirmed. Reuters writes that there will already be intense discussions about a new ceasefire, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar. The information is based on anonymous sources and has not been confirmed. An Israeli tank in Gaza fires artillery fire. The picture was taken on 20 October. Photo: MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, hinted on Tuesday that a new ceasefire could be on the horizon. – Israel is ready for a new humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian aid to facilitate the release of hostages, Herzog said during a gathering for ambassadors, according to Reuters. Hamas has previously denied that it will enter into negotiations on a new ceasefire before Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza cease. A Palestinian man holds the body of a child killed during Israeli airstrikes on a hospital in Rafah, Gaza. The picture was taken on 19 December. Photo: MOHAMMED ABED / AFP – Big pressure Crowds point to different needs and interests that advocate that the parties to the war want a new ceasefire. – Hamas needs a new ceasefire to regroup its forces, but also to bring in more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Especially food and medicine, because hunger and disease are spreading. There is an acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza, says Skare. For Israel, it is primarily about getting more hostages released, Skare believes. – There is also great political pressure against the Israeli government within Israeli society for this to be a priority. The pressure became even greater when Israeli soldiers killed three hostages who had escaped from Hamas, says Skare. Almost 20,000 killed in Gaza The war between Israel and Hamas is in its 75th day on Wednesday. The fighting in Gaza is in full swing. Since the outbreak of war, almost 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas’ health authorities. Around 1,200 people were killed during Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October. Around 240 Israeli and foreign hostages were captured by Hamas and taken to Gaza. After the previous round of hostage releases, it is estimated that 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas.
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