Israel Defense Minister meets Egypt Intelligence Chief

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met with Abbas Kamel, Egypt's intelligence chief in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

As part of the cease-fire efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Kamel earlier Sunday in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu said he had raised the issue of returning the remains of soldiers and two civilians as well as Israeli demands to prevent Hamas from gaining strength or diverting resources meant for the civilian population.

An Egyptian official said Kamel would also meet with Palestinian officials in the West Bank before heading to Gaza for talks with Hamas leaders.

The intelligence agency, which is Egypt's equivalent of the CIA, usually handles Egypt's ties with Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.

Egypt's state-run MENA news agency said Kamel would convey a message from el-Sissi to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, affirming "Egypt's full support to the Palestinian people."

It said Cairo would host talks among Palestinian factions to achieve unity between those in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied areas of the West Bank. The report did not provide further details.