Egypt Proposes New Ceasefire Plan Between Israel and Hamas
Egypt has proposed a new plan to restore a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to reports on Monday from Reuters and the Associated Press, the proposal would have Hamas release five living Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American soldier, in exchange for a 40-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate further negotiations. Hamas has reportedly agreed to this plan, while Israeli officials speaking to local media have denied receiving a new proposal.
Israel is reportedly still focused on achieving the proposal brought forward earlier this month by US hostage envoy Steve Witkoff. That proposal was an alternative to entering into the second stage of the ceasefire that began on January 19, under which Israel was meant to begin a total withdrawal from Gaza.
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In Witkoff’s alternative proposal, the ceasefire would be extended through April 19 without the Israeli military fully pulling out of Gaza and five hostages would be released in exchange for a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel said it accepted that proposal but reported that 11 hostages, not five, were set to be released. Hamas originally indicated support for the proposal but ultimately insisted on sticking to the terms of the original second phase.
Since fighting resumed on March 18, more than 500 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. Israeli officials have vowed to continue fighting until the hostages are returned and Israel’s war aims are achieved.
