A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as members of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) rejected reports that Israel has authorized their entry into the Strip, insisting that Tel Aviv’s refusal remains unchanged.
Over the past few hours, Palestinian Facebook pages have circulated reports attributed to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claiming that Tel Aviv has approved the entry of the National Committee into Gaza as part of broader arrangements for managing civil affairs.
NCAG head Ali Shaath also stated on Wednesday evening that the committee has obtained “preliminary” Israeli approval to enter the Gaza Strip, more than three months after its formation.
However, two committee members told Al Manassa, they have received no notification of a change in Israel’s position, which remains opposed to their entry. A third member called the Hebrew media reports an attempt to “shuffle the cards and export a crisis to the Palestinian parties,” emphasizing that Israel continues to prevent the committee’s leadership from entering Gaza and is blocking the supplies needed for their work.
In a related context, a Hamas delegation led by Khalil Al-Hayya arrived in Cairo Wednesday evening. A Hamas leader told Al Manassa the delegation will discuss the final position on shifting to Phase 2 of President Donald Trump’s plan, which initiated a ceasefire last October and aims for the Strip’s reconstruction.
The Trump plan, which was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the commencement of reconstruction in exchange for the movement’s disarmament.
The plan sets an eight-month timeline beginning with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza assuming responsibility for security in the territory and ending with the full withdrawal of Israeli forces once there is “final verification that Gaza is free of weapons.”
According to a Hamas leadership source, the delegation includes political bureau members Zaher Jabarin, Husam Badran, and Ghazi Hamad. They are scheduled to meet with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators, alongside Palestinian faction leaders currently in Cairo.
The Hamas source noted that internal consultations concluded with a commitment to fulfil all Phase 1 requirements before moving to Phase 2. He stressed that discussing new arrangements without an Israeli commitment to prior agreements “only serves the Israeli side.”
Earlier this month, High Representative to Gaza Nickolay Mladenov presented mechanisms for disarming the Palestinian resistance. Factions rejected the proposal, insisting on an Israeli withdrawal, aid entry, and the start of reconstruction before any disarmament discussions.
