Egypt Mediates New Ceasefire Proposal Between Israel and Hamas
Positive signals emerge in ongoing negotiations as a security delegation heads to Qatar.
CAIRO: Egypt is reportedly receiving positive indications from Israel regarding a new ceasefire proposal in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This information comes from security sources involved in the negotiations.
The proposal includes a transitional phase, which suggests that Hamas would release five Israeli hostages each week.
A security delegation from Egypt is currently en route to Qatar for discussions that are expected to address increasing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as well as negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages, according to reports from state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV.
Tensions have escalated in Gaza since a ceasefire that lasted from January to mid-March collapsed on March 18, following two months of relative calm.
A Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts indicated that some of the current offers in the negotiations appear to be more favorable compared to previous proposals.
However, he tempered expectations about an imminent announcement on a breakthrough, stating, 'Maybe not yet.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the proposal.
A spokesperson clarified that there is no Israeli delegation present in Doha at this time.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the earlier truce, which had provided a much-needed respite for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
Hamas, which continues to hold 59 hostages from the more than 250 that Israel claims were taken during the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023, has accused Israel of undermining the mediators' efforts to negotiate a lasting agreement to terminate the fighting.
On the other hand, Israel has stated its willingness to extend the current ceasefire temporarily if Hamas agrees to release additional hostages.
However, the Israeli government has not committed to moving to a second phase that would entail negotiations for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Furthermore, Israel has asserted that it will not allow Hamas to maintain a presence in the enclave and is seeking to extend the temporary ceasefire, a stance that has also received backing from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 50,000 Palestinian deaths since the escalation of fighting began.
This information comes from security sources involved in the negotiations.
The proposal includes a transitional phase, which suggests that Hamas would release five Israeli hostages each week.
A security delegation from Egypt is currently en route to Qatar for discussions that are expected to address increasing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as well as negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages, according to reports from state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV.
Tensions have escalated in Gaza since a ceasefire that lasted from January to mid-March collapsed on March 18, following two months of relative calm.
A Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts indicated that some of the current offers in the negotiations appear to be more favorable compared to previous proposals.
However, he tempered expectations about an imminent announcement on a breakthrough, stating, 'Maybe not yet.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the proposal.
A spokesperson clarified that there is no Israeli delegation present in Doha at this time.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the earlier truce, which had provided a much-needed respite for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
Hamas, which continues to hold 59 hostages from the more than 250 that Israel claims were taken during the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023, has accused Israel of undermining the mediators' efforts to negotiate a lasting agreement to terminate the fighting.
On the other hand, Israel has stated its willingness to extend the current ceasefire temporarily if Hamas agrees to release additional hostages.
However, the Israeli government has not committed to moving to a second phase that would entail negotiations for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Furthermore, Israel has asserted that it will not allow Hamas to maintain a presence in the enclave and is seeking to extend the temporary ceasefire, a stance that has also received backing from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 50,000 Palestinian deaths since the escalation of fighting began.
