GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — For the first time since its members were elected in September 2018, Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s political bureau held a plenary meeting in Cairo Dec. 3. The summit follows the Egypt-mediated Nov. 14 cease-fire agreement with Israel and Israeli reports that Egypt is making efforts toward a long-term truce agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Members of Islamic Jihad's political bureau arrived in Cairo Dec. 3 from the Gaza Strip and other Arab and Islamic countries, led by Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziad al-Nakhaleh. In December 2012, Israel denied Nakhaleh entry to the Gaza Strip, when he served as deputy secretary general of the movement, threatening to assassinate him if he does.