Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s intelligence chief, Major General Hassan Rashad met today with Israeli Prime Minister and held a high-level meeting, to discuss the next steps in implementing the U.S.-backed peace initiative known as the Trump Plan.
According to official sources, the meeting focused on accelerating the second phase of the 20-point roadmap laid out by U.S. President Donald Trump. This phase includes the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza and the establishment of transitional governance mechanisms aimed at ending Hamas’s control and laying the foundation for a future Palestinian state.
The Egyptian intelligence chief’s visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure regional and international backing for the plan, particularly from actors such as Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan, who are being considered as potential contributors to the proposed international force.
Egypt, which has long played a key role in mediating between Israel and Palestinian factions, is expected to take the lead in commanding the stabilization force. However, Cairo has expressed reservations about whether the mission should be under direct U.N. authority.
Today’s meeting highlights the increasingly central role of intelligence and security cooperation in regional diplomacy, especially as parties navigate the complexities of Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and the politically sensitive goal of disarming Hamas.
No official statement was released following the talks, but sources close to the discussions indicated that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated action and maintaining regional stability.
Major General Rashad’s mission centers on consolidating the current ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which has held since October 10 following intense negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States. The ceasefire marked the end of one of the deadliest rounds of violence the Gaza Strip has experienced in recent history.
The Egyptian intelligence chief is expected to discuss several urgent issues with Israeli leaders, foremost among them the facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza and addressing logistical barriers that have so far hindered the full implementation of the agreement, which is part of a broader U.S.-backed initiative.
The talks will also include a meeting with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is currently in Israel to oversee the American role in ensuring compliance with the deal brokered in Sharm El-Sheikh. The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, has played a key supervisory role in shaping the multi-stage plan for a permanent truce and eventual prisoner exchange agreement.
Egypt has long served as a crucial mediator in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, and this latest mission underscores Cairo’s central role in maintaining regional stability. The involvement of Egypt’s top intelligence official reflects the sensitivity and urgency of the situation, particularly as international scrutiny intensifies over the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Since the ceasefire began, aid delivery has been slow and inconsistent. While the agreement stipulated the entry of more than 6,000 aid trucks into the Strip, only 986 have arrived, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. This shortfall has compounded the suffering of civilians struggling with the aftermath of extensive bombardment and the near-total destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
General Rashad’s meetings are expected to address both immediate humanitarian concerns and longer-term mechanisms for sustaining peace, with a focus on preventing further escalation and ensuring that commitments made by all parties are fulfilled.
The outcome of today’s discussions could be pivotal in determining whether the ceasefire will hold and evolve into a more durable political framework or collapse under the weight of unresolved tensions and unmet humanitarian obligations.
