ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated:

The Hamas delegation arriving in Cairo for hostage negotiation talks will be led by Khalil al-Hayya, a source told Saudi channel Asharq on Sunday.

The source emphasized that Hamas is committed to reaching an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

The source also noted that the purpose of the Cairo negotiations is “to begin arranging conditions on the ground in preparation for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.”

The source added that the release of the hostages will be carried out gradually over several days and through the International Red Cross. This is the only source that states that the release of the hostages will be spread over several days.

Hayya, a senior Hamas official, has spoken publicly in a prerecorded interview that aired on Sunday morning on Al-Araby for the first time since a failed assassination attempt in Qatar nearly a month ago.  

A drone view shows Palestinians and Hamas militants gathering on the day of the release of Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert, hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Nuseirat, cen
A drone view shows Palestinians and Hamas militants gathering on the day of the release of Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert, hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Nuseirat, cen (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Israeli delegation

The Israeli delegation, which is set to leave for Cairo on Sunday or Monday, is comprised of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister’s Political Advisor, Dr. Ophir Falk, two anonymous officials from the Shin Bet and Mossad, and professional staff from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad.