Egypt has suggested a two-week ceasefire extension, proposing the release of six hostages. The offer follows Hamas’s rejection of a previous ceasefire proposal by Israel and the U.S. Egyptian officials are pushing for negotiations on subsequent phases while ensuring humanitarian access to Gaza is upheld.
Egypt has proposed a two-week extension of the ceasefire, offering the release of six hostages—three living and three deceased. This proposal comes after Hamas declined U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff’s suggestion for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel’s openness to the framework; however, Hamas criticized it as a tactic to avoid negotiations for subsequent phases of the ceasefire agreement.
As negotiations remain stalled, an Israeli delegation is anticipated to arrive in Cairo soon, contingent on Netanyahu’s decision. According to Egyptian sources, Egypt insists on an Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor in exchange for a U.S.-supervised security project on the Gaza border. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati emphasized the necessity for parties to fully uphold the ceasefire agreement, noting different stages must be quickly negotiated.
Minister Abdel Ati also revealed that Egypt has finalized its reconstruction plan for Gaza and plans to present it at an upcoming Arab League summit. He noted that details would remain confidential until approved by Arab leaders. Furthermore, he reiterated Egypt’s intentions to facilitate negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire while expressing hopes for the European Union to apply pressure for its continuation.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis linked to the ceasefire, Minister Abdel Ati stated, “The Gaza agreement includes full access to aid.” He categorically condemned the use of humanitarian assistance as a mechanism of collective punishment, asserting it violates international humanitarian law and must not be tolerated.
In summary, Egypt proposes a two-week extension to the ceasefire, tied to the release of additional hostages, amid stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The Egyptian government is advocating for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian access for Gaza. Egypt’s plans for reconstruction await approval from Arab leaders before presentation, highlighting the ongoing intricate dynamics in the region.
Original Source: allisrael.com
