Egypt Proposes New Ceasefire Plan to Israel and Hamas Amid Renewed Hostilities
Egypt has proposed a new ceasefire deal to Israel and Hamas, promising the release of five Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire. Officials from Egypt and the EU have called for the resumption of negotiations to end hostilities and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. Renewed Israeli strikes and an attack in Israel underscore the region’s escalating tensions.
Cairo has submitted a new proposal to both Israel and Hamas, aimed at reinstating a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. According to Egyptian security sources, there is an urgent call to end the ongoing hostilities and proceed with the negotiations for the next phase of the truce. This proposal outlines that Hamas will release five living Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American soldier, in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire, facilitating further discussions on the ceasefire terms.
The response from Hamas has been positive, indicating their agreement to the proposal, although no information has been disclosed regarding an official response from Israel. On the recent initiatives, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, emphasized the necessity to resume negotiations, thereby adhering to the ceasefire agreement. Abdelatty particularly addressed the importance of returning to the negotiation table to ensure the release of all Israeli detainees while opposing renewed military actions against civilians in Gaza.
Kaja Kallas expressed deep concerns regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza due to Israel’s resumed military operations. She urged for negotiations to be prioritized and called for an immediate cessation of violence and bombings, underscoring that humanitarian laws must be adhered to in order to save lives and deliver aid effectively.
Following an earlier ceasefire that began on January 19, escalating tensions have led to a renewal of strikes in Gaza by Israel as of March 18, resulting in significant casualties, with more than 730 deaths reported by health authorities. Concurrently, a violent incident in northern Israel has resulted in a fatality and critical injuries, marking the first such incident since the renewed hostilities in Gaza began. Emergency services reported that a 75-year-old man was killed and another individual seriously injured in this attack, which has been classified by local police as a terrorist action, reflecting the ongoing volatility in the region.
In summary, Egypt’s new proposal aims to restore the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas by securing the release of hostages in exchange for a truce. Both Egyptian and EU officials have called for immediate negotiations to prevent further escalation and facilitate humanitarian aid. The situation remains critical, marked by renewed violence and humanitarian concerns, necessitating urgent diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
