CAIRO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel has rejected a proposal for Hamas to join a technocratic government in Gaza, Egyptian sources told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the information was shared by Israel during a meeting in Jerusalem between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service.
The discussions focused on solidifying the Gaza ceasefire, allowing the deployment of an Egyptian-led international force, and permitting 1,000 Palestinian police officers to help secure the enclave once Hamas hands over control, the sources said.
The meeting also addressed the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and a mechanism for Hamas to disarm. The sources described the talks as "highly successful," producing several "breakthroughs" in ceasefire implementation.
Earlier, Netanyahu's office said the leaders had met with teams to discuss advancing the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, Israel-Egypt relations, and regional issues.
The rare meeting comes amid uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect on Oct. 10. Both sides have pledged to uphold the truce, though each has accused the other of violations. ■