Cairo [Egypt]: Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt, which includes the release of five hostages, including American-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, CNN reported, citing a Hamas source.
The proposal is reportedly similar to one previously presented by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. However, it remains unclear whether the agreement includes the release of additional bodies of deceased hostages.
In return, Hamas is demanding a return to phase one ceasefire conditions, allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and initiating discussions for a second-phase ceasefire, according to the Hamas source.
Israel Responds with Counter-Proposal
The Israeli government has responded to the Egyptian offer with a counter-proposal.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a series of consultations yesterday, following a proposal received from the mediators. In recent hours, Israel transferred its counter proposal to the mediators, in full coordination with the United States,” said a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Israeli media reports suggest the initiative could result in a temporary truce in Gaza in exchange for the release of the five Israeli captives.
Tensions in Gaza Continue
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that Israel would continue to establish a permanent presence in parts of Gaza unless the hostages are released.
“The more Hamas continues its refusal to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel,” Katz said, as reported by CNN.
On Friday, Katz directed the Israeli military “to seize additional areas in Gaza, while evacuating the population, and to expand the security zones around Gaza in order to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers through permanent maintenance of the territory by Israel.”
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed earlier this week, leading to renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The region had seen relative calm for the past two months, during which dozens of hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, CNN reported.
Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza earlier this month and imposed a complete blockade on humanitarian aid. The Israeli government insists that its forces will maintain a presence in parts of Gaza until the remaining 24 hostages, believed to be alive, are released.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, at least 50,277 Palestinians have been killed, and 114,095 have been injured since Israel’s military offensive began following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023.