An Egyptian proposal to revive the Gaza ceasefire agreement has garnered provisional backing from the Hamas terror organization, according to reports from Reuters on Monday. However, Israeli officials stated that they have not yet been provided with the details of the plan.
The proposal put forward by Cairo includes a condition that Hamas free five living hostages, including American-Israeli Edan Alexander, in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian assistance into Gaza and agreeing to a temporary halt in the fighting for several weeks, as outlined by an Egyptian official. Following the initial week, Israel would enter the second phase of the failed ceasefire arrangement.
Additionally, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the terms of this plan. The Egyptian proposal was introduced last week, according to security sources, with a Hamas representative confirming that the group had “responded positively” to the offer.
The plan also stipulates a timeline for the release of all 59 hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which would be supported by guarantees from the United States, the security sources mentioned. While these sources reported that the US had also endorsed the Egyptian initiative, an Israeli official stated to The Times of Israel on Monday, “We haven’t heard of any new proposal.”
The official went on to explain that Israel is still working on securing Hamas’s agreement to a US-backed proposal led by Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. This plan would not involve a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The more limited “Witkoff proposal,” which Hamas has thus far rejected, would have extended the ceasefire until April 19 and required Hamas to release five living hostages in exchange for a large number of Palestinian security prisoners. Israel agreed to this proposal, but insisted on the release of 11 living hostages. If Hamas does not accept these terms, the official warned, “we will keep increasing the pressure until Hamas breaks,” threatening “a widespread ground campaign” in Gaza.
Earlier in January, Israel and Hamas came to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that officially lasted for 42 days. During that time, Hamas released 30 living hostages and the bodies of eight killed captives, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 prisoners, including terrorists. The deal’s first phase ended before the second phase could be enacted, which had originally been intended to secure a permanent peace in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages and more Palestinian prisoners.
Last week, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a resumption of the fighting in Gaza, declaring that future negotiations would occur under fire, as Hamas rejected the proposals to extend the first phase of the ceasefire.
Hamas has insisted on adhering to the original terms of the agreement, which was supposed to enter its second phase at the beginning of March. For over a month, however, Israel has declined to enter discussions on the specifics of phase two, as it requires a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the conflict.
Terrorist groups in Gaza continue to hold 59 hostages, including 58 of the 251 abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023. Among these are at least 35 individuals whose deaths have been confirmed by the IDF. During a ceasefire between January and March, Hamas released 30 hostages — 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — along with the bodies of eight Israeli captives.
{Matzav.com Israel}The post Hamas Said To Respond Positively To Egyptian Proposal; Israel Denies Receiving Terms first appeared on Matzav.com.