Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City on Thursday. EBRAHIM HAJJAJ/REUTERS
CAIRO/GAZA — A Hamas delegation held "crucial" talks in Cairo on Thursday with Egyptian officials on arrangements for implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, an informed Egyptian security source told Xinhua.
The delegation discussed preparations for the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, the source said on condition of anonymity.
Hamas reaffirmed its readiness to hand over the Gaza Strip to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, paving the way for the second phase of the plan, which includes a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the source said.
The group also agreed to place its weapons under the committee's custody and expressed willingness to facilitate the work of the peacekeeping force and the national committee, the source added.
