Hamas’s top leader in Gaza is calling for negotiations on a potential prisoner swap with Israel as Egypt is working to solidify a truce between Israel and Hamas following the cease-fire earlier this month that ended 11 days of some of the worst fighting seen between the two in years. “Today, by the grace of Allah, after this victory of May 2021, our Palestinian cause is making tangible and clear progress,” Sinwar added. However, Gantz said that any violations of the May 21 cease-fire by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, would be responded to with force. ADVERTISEMENTMore than 250 people were killed in the fighting as Hamas fired more than 4,000 rockets toward Israel cities and the IDF struck roughly 1,000 targets in Gaza. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry welcomed his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in Cairo to discuss building on the Egypt-negotiated cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 31, 2021 18:38 UTC