Egypt has proposed a new ceasefire to Israel and Hamas, entailing the release of five Israeli hostages by Hamas in return for a 40-day truce. This initiative aims to restore negotiations following increased violence and losses in Gaza. Both Egyptian and EU officials emphasize the necessity for immediate discussions to address humanitarian concerns and prevent further casualties.
Recent developments have emerged as Egypt has submitted a new proposal to both Israel and Hamas, aiming to restore a ceasefire in Gaza. In a report by Xinhua news agency, it was revealed that Egyptian security sources disclosed this initiative, emphasizing the urgency for all parties involved to cease hostilities and re-engage in negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Under this new proposal, Hamas is set to release five living Israeli hostages, which includes an Israeli-American, in exchange for a temporary ceasefire lasting 40 days. This ceasefire is intended to facilitate further discussions regarding the continuation of the preliminary ceasefire arrangement.
Hamas has indicated its acceptance of the proposal; however, it remains unclear whether Israel has provided a response. Concurrently, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas have jointly advocated for the resumption of negotiations surrounding the ceasefire.
During their press conference in Cairo, Minister Abdelatty reiterated that, “the only way to release all (Israeli) detainees is to return to the negotiating table and adhere to the ceasefire agreement.” He firmly opposed any Israeli military actions that target civilians in Gaza, highlighting the urgency to progress towards the second phase of the ceasefire, which was first implemented on January 19.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis, Ms. Kallas expressed strong concerns regarding the ongoing violence, urging that, “They (the Israelis) should resume negotiations and stop the killing there, and stop the bombing.” She stressed the imperative of adhering to humanitarian laws to protect civilians and ensure that aid reaches those in need.
Since the ceasefire agreement of January 19 collapsed, Israel has resumed attacks on Gaza, with the latest escalation resulting in more than 730 reported casualties. On March 18, Israeli forces initiated ground operations across various regions of Gaza, leading to significant loss of life.
In related news, a violent attack in northern Israel resulted in the death of a 75-year-old man and left another individual critically injured. The assailant, described as a “terrorist,” engaged in a ramming, stabbing, and shooting incident near Haifa. Police quickly neutralized the attacker, underscoring the ongoing tensions within the region. This incident marks the first attack in Israel following the renewed military actions against Gaza.
In summary, Egypt’s recent proposal seeks to facilitate a 40-day ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Both Egyptian officials and EU representatives have urged the need to resume negotiations while condemning violence and advocating for humanitarian protections. The situation remains tense with significant casualties resulting from ongoing military operations in Gaza and violent incidents in Israel. The situation continues to require urgent attention to break the cycle of conflict and establish lasting peace.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
