Egypt intelligence delegation arrives in Gaza for talks

<p>By Hedaya al-Saeedi and Hani al-Shaer</p> <p>GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – A delegation from Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS) arrived in the blockaded Gaza Strip on Monday for talks with Palestinian resistance faction Hamas, which has governed the enclave since 2007.</p> <p>The delegation, which is reportedly being led by Major-General Ahmed Abdel-Khaliq, GIS director for Palestine affairs, arrived in the Gaza Strip via the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, a Palestinian source at the crossing told Anadolu Agency.</p> <p>For the past week, Egyptian officials have engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy between the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and Israel. </p> <p>The stepped-up diplomatic efforts are aimed at hammering out a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based resistance factions, led by Hamas.</p> <p>*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat</p>