Egypt-Hamas tensions at all-time high over demand to disarm and leave Gaza

Egypt's support for calls to disarm Hamas has reignited tensions with the Palestinian movement and stalled ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian and Palestinian sources told Middle East Eye.

The rift emerged after Cairo relayed messages to Hamas leaders in Doha in late April, demanding the group surrender its weapons and withdraw fighters from Gaza - a position Hamas firmly rejects.

The push for disarmament reflects mounting pressure from the United States and key Arab states.

On 29 July, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the Arab League in endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution, which calls on Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

According to Egyptian sources, Cairo had initially resisted linking disarmament to ceasefire negotiations.