Hamas Delegation Meets With Egyptian Intelligence Chief After Gaza Ceasefire Buckles

Latest Developments

• Senior Delegation in Cairo: A senior Hamas delegation led by top official Khalil al-Hayya met with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on November 23 after Palestinian ceasefire violations triggered a weekend of renewed violence in the coastal enclave. In a statement, the group reaffirmed that it was committed to the stipulations in phase one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza while accusing Israel of “continued violations.” Hamas also called for the implementation of a “clear and defined mechanism” to document violations of the truce.
• Hamas Violation Sparks Clashes in Gaza: The Israeli Air Force carried out several airstrikes across Gaza on November 22 after an armed terrorist used a humanitarian road in southern Gaza to fire at IDF soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that during the retaliatory strikes, the IDF eliminated five senior Hamas officials, including Alaa’ Haddadeh, who was the head of supplies within Hamas’s weapons manufacturing system. The Trump administration fully supported Israel’s actions, with one U.S. official stating, “Israel has a policy, agreed upon with the mediators, that ceasefire violations will be met with immediate response.”
• IDF Vows To Neutralize Remaining ‘Rafah Pocket’ Terrorists: During the meeting with Rashad, Hamas said that it discussed methods to resolve the issue of dozens of Hamas terrorists trapped in tunnels in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. On November 24, Col. Adi Gonen, who commands the IDF’s Golani infantry brigade, said that his troops’ “main mission” was to “destroy or capture the enemy in Rafah.” The Hamas operatives are dispersed across several tunnels in Rafah’s Jenina neighborhood, according to the IDF, which has carried out over 60 airstrikes in the area — including 15 against tunnel shafts — over the past week. “It’s simple, either they surrender, or we’ll kill them,” Gonen said.

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas has consistently and systematically violated the Gaza ceasefire since it was announced. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey must all toe the line by pressuring Hamas to comply with the Trump administration’s ceasefire plan. Most importantly, Hamas must finally admit defeat and surrender. On the ground, that means returning the remaining hostages and disarming.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“The IDF’s response to the gunfire aimed at its forces was revealing. Beyond Hamas’s continued violation of the ceasefire through attacks on Israeli troops, the killing of Alaa’ Haddadeh underscores that Israeli intelligence is still actively tracking senior figures within the group. It also highlights Hamas’s ongoing failure to insulate its commanders from targeted Israeli operations.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“Reconstructing Gaza: The devil is in the detail,” by Ben Cohen

“Palestinian terrorists fire on Israeli soldiers, break ceasefire 8 times from November 13 to 21, IDF says,” by Samuel Ben-Ur and Aaron Goren

“IDF Eliminates 6, Apprehends 5 Hamas Terrorists Emerging From Rafah Tunnel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Qatar Claims Israeli Strikes in Response to Gaza Shooting May Upend Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief