A new ceasefire proposal has emerged from mediators in Qatar and Egypt aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, suggesting a long-term truce and discussions on governance in Gaza, in light of escalating tensions and previous ceasefire failures.
New Mediated Ceasefire Initiative Proposed Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
New Mediated Ceasefire Initiative Proposed Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
A senior Palestinian official reveals details of a potential ceasefire plan mediated by Qatar and Egypt that calls for an extended truce and negotiations on hostages and governance.
A senior Palestinian official familiar with the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas has disclosed to the BBC that Qatari and Egyptian mediators have put forward a new plan intended to bring an end to the war in Gaza. This proposal includes a potential truce lasting between five to seven years, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails, a formal declaration to end hostilities, and a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
As part of this endeavor, a senior delegation from Hamas is expected to arrive in Cairo for further discussions. The latest ceasefire collapsed last month when Israel renewed its bombing campaign against Gaza, with both parties holding each other responsible for the breakdown. Currently, Israel has not publicly commented on the new mediation plan.
Hamas's representation in Egypt will include Mohammed Darwish, the head of its political council, and Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s lead negotiator. Their arrival in Cairo follows a rejection by Hamas of Israel’s latest proposal, which called for its disarmament in exchange for a six-week truce.
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position that the war would not cease until Hamas is effectively dismantled and all hostages are returned. In contrast, Hamas has insisted that Israel must first agree to end the conflict before any discussions regarding hostage release proceed.
The Palestinian official mentioned that Hamas has expressed willingness to transfer governance of Gaza to any Palestinian authority that can be agreed upon at both the national and regional levels, which could involve either the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) or a newly established administrative body. However, Netanyahu has dismissed any suggestion for the PA to play a role in Gaza’s future governance, which has been under Hamas control since 2007.
Although it remains uncertain whether this new mediation effort will succeed, the official characterized the discussions as serious, noting that Hamas has demonstrated "unprecedented flexibility" in its approach. The context of this development follows a series of violent escalations beginning on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians, and taking 251 individuals as hostages. In retaliation, Israel initiated a significant military response that has reportedly led to over 51,240 Palestinian deaths, largely among civilian populations, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Amid these tensions, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has begun relocating its staff and their families to the city of Arish, located close to the Gaza border, after facilitating medical evacuations from Gaza to Egyptian health facilities and coordinating humanitarian aid efforts.
