Egypt, Qatar Propose Cease-Fire Plan for Israel-Hamas War
Egypt, in coordination with Qatar, has proposed a comprehensive plan to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The plan includes an immediate cease-fire, phased release of hostages, and the formation of a Palestinian government of experts to administer Gaza and the West Bank. Despite its ambition, the proposal falls short of Israel’s goal to completely dismantle Hamas’s military presence in Gaza.
The Egyptian proposal, presented to Israel, Hamas, the US, and European governments, includes an initial two-week cease-fire. During this period, Palestinian militants would release 40 to 50 hostages, including women, the sick, and the elderly, in exchange for 120 to 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Further negotiations would focus on extending the cease-fire and releasing more hostages.
The plan also involves establishing a transitional Palestinian government of experts. This government would oversee Gaza and the West Bank while Palestinian factions resolve their differences and prepare for elections.
Despite presenting the proposal to various parties, including Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the plan’s acceptance remains uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not committed to discussing the Egyptian proposal, focusing instead on the ongoing hostage crisis.
The war has had a devastating impact on Gaza, killing over 20,400 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and displacing most of the 2.3 million residents, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-run government in the coastal enclave. Around 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the Oct. 7 atrocities that sparked the conflict, and the Israeli military has lost 156 soldiers since the ground offensive began, potentially affecting public support for the war.
