Following the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the relationship between Hamas and Egypt has gradually improved, especially after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh praised Cairo’s role in sponsoring the cease-fire agreement in a phone call to Egyptian intelligence in early September.

Al-Monitor was shown an internal Hamas document about this development. It calls for "reconsidering the relationship with Egypt to improve and develop it, deal with the existing regime and overcome the past. In addition, [Hamas should] take advantage of the communication that took place between both sides during the Gaza war, as it broke the ban placed by Egypt on dealing with Hamas, which is a positive thing."

Mahmoud al-Zahar, a member of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza who has played a key role in improving ties with Egypt, announced a breakthrough in bilateral relations Oct. 1. He said that Hamas began to respect the role of Egypt, regardless of its ruler.

In a phone call with Al-Monitor, an Egyptian security official who preferred to remain anonymous said, "The Hamas delegation that visited Cairo in late September to finalize the negotiations over the truce with Israel held a 2½-hour meeting with Egyptian officials to discuss issues still pending between Hamas and Egypt. The meeting resulted in a breakthrough in the relationship between the two parties, which agreed to hold another session to discuss the remaining issues."