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New Hamas Politburo to Meet in Egypt

Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
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New Hamas Politburo to Meet in Egypt

Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)

Hamas will hold the first meeting of the new political bureau in Cairo on Monday after several leaders arrive from Gaza, Qatar, and Turkey.

A Hamas source told Asharq Al-Awsat that it is the first meeting that includes all the regional heads and members after the recent elections.

Hamas holds its elections in four areas - the West Bank, Gaza, abroad, and prisons - resulting in the election of its politburo every four years based on a long and unique process, not candidacy.

An informed source said that the meeting aims to discuss internal and financial issues and political developments relating to the exchange deal with Israel.

The meeting will also address reconciliation and the relationship with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The source confirmed that a high-ranking delegation headed by Ismail Haniyeh would later meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

He indicated that the talks were set to take place earlier, but Hamas asked to hold its politburo meeting in Cairo and waited for the approval.

The Egyptians officials will discuss with Hamas the truce, the peace process with Israel, reconciliation, the exchange deal, and reconstruction.

According to the source, Egypt is exerting all efforts and wants to push matters forward and ensure that it does not get out of control.

The source confirmed that Cairo, which previously met a delegation from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will meet in the coming weeks with the rest of the Palestinian factions and Hamas.

He added that a delegation from the Jihad Movement would soon arrive in Cairo.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum announced that the movement received an invitation from Egypt to hold its meeting in Cairo, without giving further details.

Aside from the Hamas delegation, technical and business delegations also arrived in Cairo to discuss the reconstruction and issues relating to trade with Egypt.

The visit has been postponed several times in the past, awaiting arrangements that ensure its success.

The businessmen delegation is headed by the Vice President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Palestine, Waleed al-Husari.

Representatives of the Ministry of National Economy in Gaza met with a delegation of Palestinian businessmen before their departure to Cairo to discuss several issues relating to boosting the commercial relationship with Egypt.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, Abdel Fattah al-Zeraei, explained that the delegation’s visit is part of previous visits to discuss several trade issues, such as facilitating the movement of businessmen and trade at the crossings and introducing new types of goods.

The head of the government media office in Gaza, Salama Maarouf, said a government technical delegation left for Egypt to discuss many essential issues with Egyptian officials.

Sources also told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegations would discuss the entry of banned goods.

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Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.