CAIRO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, is in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the transition to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, as well as recent security escalations in the Strip, according to an Egyptian security official.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Egypt is holding intensive discussions with Hamas leaders, along with U.S. and Qatari mediators, to sustain the ceasefire and begin the second phase of the deal.

He added that the discussions also focused on forming a committee to administer the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire and addressing recent Israeli violations and escalations in the enclave.

After two years of conflict, a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Oct. 10, following mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.

While intensive airstrikes have largely ended, deaths continue to be reported in Gaza due to periodic violence. On Saturday, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 22 deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Gaza's civil defense. The Israeli military said the strike was in response to an earlier incident, when an "armed terrorist" reportedly fired at soldiers after crossing the Strip's so-called "yellow line," which designates areas under full Israeli control. ■