Hamas has shown unprecedented flexibility in negotiations, with a proposal for a long-term truce and prisoner exchanges being discussed amid ongoing hostilities.
New Ceasefire Proposal Emerges Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
New Ceasefire Proposal Emerges Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
A potential new framework for a ceasefire in Gaza has been put forth by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
In an effort to resolve the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a senior Palestinian official has revealed to the BBC that Qatari and Egyptian mediators have introduced a new ceasefire plan. This proposal outlines a truce lasting between five to seven years, a comprehensive release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a complete end to hostilities, which would necessitate an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The announcement arrives as a senior Hamas delegation prepares to consult in Cairo, consisting of key leaders such as head of the political council, Mohammed Darwish, and lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. This development follows the breakdown of the last ceasefire a month prior, which collapsed when Israel resumed bombing in Gaza, with both sides blaming each other for the failure.
As of now, there has been no official comment from Israel regarding this new mediation effort. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that the military campaign would not cease until Hamas was dismantled and all hostages were returned. Conversely, Hamas has made it clear they expect a commitment from Israel to end hostilities prior to any hostages' releases.
In discussions about governance, the Palestinian official indicated that Hamas is willing to transfer control of Gaza to any Palestinian entity mutually agreed upon, potentially the Palestinian Authority (PA) or a new governing body. However, Netanyahu has dismissed any future role for the PA in Gaza's governance.
Though the likelihood of success remains uncertain, the Palestinian official noted that the mediation effort is being treated with seriousness and that Hamas has shown unprecedented levels of flexibility. The conflict itself escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. According to Gaza health officials, the military offensive in response has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, the majority of whom are civilians.
In a related development, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has instructed its staff to relocate with families to the Egyptian city of Arish, near the Gaza border, as they continue to coordinate medical evacuations and humanitarian aid efforts.
