Egyptian and Palestinian media reported Monday that a delegation of senior intelligence officers arrived in the Gaza Strip as part of Cairo's efforts to mediate a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group controlling the coastal enclave.
The delegation, headed by Gen. Ayman Badia, the deputy chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence Services, arrived in Gaza at a time when tensions are simmering between Israel and Hamas.
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Recent days have seen an increase in rocket fire on southern Israel, as well as in what has come to be known as "balloon terrorism," as part of which Gaza terrorists send balloons carrying explosives over the border into Israel.
IDF warplanes struck several Hamas sites in Gaza after midnight Sunday, following rocket fire at Israeli communities near the volatile frontier.
The military said aircraft bombed several targets including "a training camp and military infrastructure."
Egyptian sources told Israel Hayom that the delegation visited Israel first and met Sunday with high-ranking defense officials.
Israel and Egypt maintain close security ties. Cairo has been instrumental in the de-escalation efforts vis-à-vis Gaza's rules over the past few years.
Hamas confirmed that its leadership in the Strip plans to meet with Egyptian officials. Islamic Jihad, however, tried to deny the delegation's presence in Gaza but later relented.
