The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials about the war in Gaza. Egypt and Qatar have acted as intermediaries in talks between Israel and Hamas in the past, and Israel’s president has said it is ready to negotiate a new pause in fighting in exchange for the release of more hostages. However, Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said there must be a cessation in hostilities before discussions resume on hostage exchanges. “Israel has been very clear, including as recently as today, that it would welcome returning to a pause to ensure the release of hostages,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Wednesday.
