Egypt has proposed a plan to resume negotiations between Israel and Hamas that includes a short-term ceasefire and a limited exchange of captives and prisoners, setting the stage for a broader agreement. An Egyptian official confirmed on Monday that the country aims to expedite efforts toward a comprehensive deal between the two parties.
According to a report from the Israeli news site Walla, the initial phase of the proposal suggests a swap of captives and prisoners in exchange for a temporary ceasefire lasting several days. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have expressed support for the proposal, which has been presented to the Israeli Security Cabinet.
However, the plan faces opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Discussions within the security cabinet have reportedly been preliminary and have not resulted in any decisions or votes.
Hamas’s stance on this limited agreement remains unclear, although the group has previously accepted a truce plan proposed by President Biden on May 31, which was later supported by the UN Security Council. At that time, Biden characterized the plan as a three-phase “roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages.” Despite Hamas’s initial approval, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu added new conditions that stalled the agreement.
An Israeli official emphasized that progress in negotiations requires Israel to adopt a more flexible approach, including potentially withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor. This official expressed skepticism about Hamas’s willingness to soften its position, noting that the group’s leadership transition may lead to a firmer stance in future discussions.
Israeli media suggests that talks regarding the prisoner exchange and the proposed limited deal may face additional delays, as Israel appears to be prioritizing its response to a recent Iranian strike.
Egypt, along with the US and Qatar, has been facilitating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire during the prolonged conflict in Gaza. Since October 2023, the ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths and injuries of over 140,000 Palestinians, primarily affecting children and women, while devastating Gaza’s infrastructure and displacing much of its population.