Daily Mail: Freed Hamas Terrorists Enjoy Lavish Cairo Vacation At 'Hotel Hamas'

More than 150 convicted Palestinian terrorists, including senior Hamas operatives and an ISIS affiliate, are reportedly ensconced in a lavish five-star Cairo hotel alongside oblivious Western vacationers, according to an exclusive investigation by the Daily Mail.

The revelation has ignited fears of a resurgent terrorist network, as the men, freed earlier this month in a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire, enjoy pools, spas, and buffets while plotting their next moves.The 154 extremists, part of a group of 250 life-sentence prisoners released by Israel under President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, are holed up at the Marriott-operated Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel, a sprawling resort just 45 minutes from the Pyramids.

Undercover reporters from the Mail checked in and snapped photos of the group mingling with families at breakfast and sunbathing spots, where rooms start at £200 ($260) per night and public bookings continue uninterrupted.

The hotel, with its outdoor pools, fitness center, and multiple restaurants, markets itself as an idyllic family escape. Yet, as one journalist described, "hateful eyes" track visitors' every move—none more intensely than those of Mahmoud Issa, 57, founder of Hamas's elite kidnapping unit, Special Unit 101 of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

Issa, imprisoned since 1993 for multiple suicide bombings and murders, paced the pool deck with relatives, just meters from bikini-clad tourists.A Bitter Trade for PeaceThe releases were a cornerstone of the October 10 ceasefire, which secured the handover of Gaza's last 20 living Israeli hostages—captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that killed 1,200 and sparked a two-year war.

Israel, facing domestic outcry, deported the 154 "highest-risk" inmates to Egypt to bar their return to Gaza or Judea and Samaria, leaving just 20 such prisoners in its jails.

Among the hotel guests are:

Akram Abu Bakr: Hosted his wedding on the grounds last Saturday, celebrating amid the festivities.

The group arrived to cheers from pro-Palestinian supporters, withdrawing cash from on-site ATMs, bolstered by the Palestinian Authority's "Pay for Slay" stipends, which can net six-figure sums for long-term inmates.

One, Basem Khandakji, 41—convicted in a 2004 Tel Aviv suicide bombing—ventured out for a book signing after winning a literary prize.

Security Fears Mount

Egyptian security forces patrol the perimeter, pistols visible under jackets, and must approve any excursions.

The men are applying for local visas, with plans to relocate to tourist hotspots like Qatar, Turkey, and Tunisia—drawing British and European crowds. A former Israeli intelligence officer, identified only as "Guy C," warned they face "no restrictions on movements," potentially linking up with global networks, funneling funds, and inspiring protests.

Prof. Anthony Glees of the University of Buckingham called it a recipe for "Hezbollah 2.0," urging no safe havens for these "sworn enemies."

David Mencer, from Israel's Prime Minister's Office, defended the deal: "Israel freed them not to reward evil but because we value human life above all. A bitter price... to reclaim kin from Jew-haters."

The Marriott and hotel staff did not respond to comment requests, though a Renaissance employee told Ynet the claims were false: "We don't have prisoners... the hotel receives normal guests."

Recent Google reviews echo unease, with guests citing an "unsafe and uncomfortable" vibe.

On X, the story exploded, with users dubbing it "Hotel Hamas" and sharing photos of the militants by the pool. "They are among you in every city in the world," one post warned.