Did Egypt go behind Hamas’ back to meet with Israel?
Egypt’s security delegation visited Israel and held talks in Netanyahu’s office without visiting Gaza.
An Egyptian intelligence delegation has paid a secret visit to Israel. Israel’s Channel 13 reported Sept. 27 that envoys from Cairo met with high-ranking Israeli officials in the prime minister’s office amid Egyptian fears that a fresh flare-up could turn into a full-scale war against the backdrop of the political crisis in Israel due to the difficulties in forming a new government. There was no mention that the delegation would visit Gaza, too.
The previous visit of an Egyptian security delegation to Israel and Gaza had taken place Sept. 8 and 9, a week before Israel's Sept. 17 elections.
“Contacts between Hamas and Egypt are still ongoing. A Hamas delegation visited Cairo on Aug. 27 and previous visits by Egyptian security delegations were made to Gaza. Egypt is present at the heart of major Palestinian issues, including the reconciliation with Fatah and the truce with Israel,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor.
“Hamas is acting in the best national interest and not at the request of any party and is not banking on the shape of the next Israeli government. We do not interfere in this matter,” he added.
