Shin Bet chief discusses resuming ceasefire talks after Sinwar's death

Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar visited Cairo on Thursday, where he met with the new Egyptian intelligence director, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, to discuss negotiations concerning a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The Israeli occupation military announced last Thursday that Sinwar was accidentally killed a day earlier during fighting in southern Gaza.

According to Israeli media outlets, Bar’s meeting centred around advancing a prisoner release deal.

Ynet reported: “Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar visited Cairo today and met with the new Egyptian intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad, and the two discussed pushing forward a hostage deal after the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.”

Channel 13 noted that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to “reach a breakthrough” regarding the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Walla added that “the meeting took place less than a week after Rashad assumed his position, against the backdrop of Sinwar’s assassination and attempts to resume negotiations and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”

A source familiar with the details stated that Bar spoke with Rashad about reopening the “window of opportunity” for renewing negotiations on the hostage deal, emphasising Egypt’s key role in this process.

Bar had previously met with the former head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, in Cairo on 13 October. They discussed the prisoner and hostage issue, along with the possibility of advancing a potential exchange agreement.

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