Gaza / Anadolu

Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political bureau, stressed on Monday the continuation of work with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

This came during a phone call received by al-Hayya from Egyptian General Intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, who congratulated him on the confidence of the movement's leaders in him and his election as its head.

Hamas had announced, hours earlier, the election of al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed during a clash with an Israeli force in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip in October 2024.

Hamas said in a statement: "Al-Hayya received a phone call from Egyptian General Intelligence Minister Hassan Rashad, who offered him congratulations on his brothers' confidence in him and his election as head of the movement."

For his part, the head of the movement expressed 'his appreciation for the call', affirming 'the continuation of the historic relationship with Egypt and its role in the Palestinian cause, especially in the ongoing negotiations to consolidate the ceasefire and complete its second phase.'

Al-Hayya said that 'the movement will continue working with the brothers in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to make their efforts successful, end the suffering of our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and achieve (Israeli) withdrawal and reconstruction.'

The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip took effect on October 10, 2025, with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey and American sponsorship, as part of a plan comprising two phases.

But Israel did not abide by the agreement, and continued its violations through shelling and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of 1,158 Palestinians and injuries to 3,756 others as of Monday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

On June 8, 2026, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey and Palestinian factions discussed, during a meeting in Cairo, a roadmap to complete the implementation of the agreement and push forward negotiations on its second phase.