Nadene Goldfoot
On October 16, 2024, Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad was appointed as the new director of Egypt's main intelligence apparatus, the General Intelligence Service (GIS). He was born in 1967 in Cairo, Egypt and is 57-58 years old.
Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, arrived in Israel today and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, regarding the Trump peace framework, strengthening peace between Egypt and Israel, and other regional issues.
According to the Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News, Rashad discussed the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and overcoming obstacles to the implementation of US President Trump's proposal. He is also reportedly scheduled to meet with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is currently visiting Israel.
As of October 21, 2025, Turkey is significantly involved with Hamas by acting as a mediator and co-guarantor in the newly-signed U.S.-backed ceasefire deal for Gaza. This role follows Turkey's long-standing diplomatic and political support for Hamas, which Ankara views as a legitimate "resistance movement" rather than a terrorist organization. Regionally, the conflict widened fault lines, exposing competing Israeli and Turkish interests in Syria.
- Negotiating the Gaza Ceasefire: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan leveraged Turkey's ties with Hamas to persuade the group to accept a ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S.. This came after initial stalemates in talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Netanyahu has reportedly strongly opposes the entry of Turkish military forces into the Gaza Strip. He also opposes Turkish companies taking part in the rebuilding of the Strip.
- After the October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran, the Turkish President said that Israel, with the help of West, is trying to ignite a regional conflict. In addition, he gave his support to the Iranian government and people.
- On 13 November 2024, Erdoğan announced that Turkey was severing all its diplomatic relations with Israel due to Israel's reluctance to end the war in Gaza. Relations continued to deteriorate throughout 2025.
According to Israeli sources, Hamas has been taking a significant part in forming the proposed technocratic government that would govern the Gaza Strip after the war, by selecting about half of the candidates for the new governing body. The remaining candidates were reportedly chosen by the Palestinian Authority. Arab mediators are reportedly fully aware of the situation. "Terrorist group selects half of technocratic cabinet amid quiet coordination with Arab mediators and Palestinian Authority; Qatari ruler slams Israel over ceasefire violations but omits any mention of Hamas in speech following failed Israeli strike." (I hope the reader realizes that it isn't Israel who is breaking the cease fire but a Hamas terrorist or terrorists.)
- Facilitating Family Travel: At Turkey's request, Israel recently allowed family members of the late Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, to leave Gaza. This move is seen as an effort to reduce diplomatic friction with Turkey.
- Continuing Political Alignment: Despite its new diplomatic role, Turkey has not changed its rhetoric towards Hamas. Erdoğan has continued to criticize Israel's actions in Gaza, and Israeli officials remain wary of Turkey's support for Hamas.
Resource:
israelAM
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-871154
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-871037
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