Egypt has introduced a new proposal to revive the stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, offering a potential pathway to end the ongoing conflict. The proposal includes the release of five hostages, including an American-Israeli, by Hamas, in exchange for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and agreeing to a weeks-long pause in hostilities.
As part of the deal, Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has reportedly reacted positively to the proposal, though the full details remain confidential as both sides engage in closed-door negotiations.
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This latest development comes after Israel resumed airstrikes last week, breaking a prior ceasefire, which led to hundreds of Palestinian casualties. Tensions escalated after Hamas rejected Israeli-backed modifications to the ceasefire terms that aimed to facilitate the release of more hostages.
Hamas insists it will only release the remaining 24 hostages alive in exchange for significant concessions, including the release of Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The negotiations take place against the backdrop of increasing violence. Earlier today, an Israeli airstrike targeted Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, killing senior Hamas official Ismail Barhoum and a 16-year-old patient. The strike, which has drawn condemnation from Hamas, has escalated tensions further, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating international law by targeting civilian infrastructure.
Israel’s Defence Ministry defended the airstrike, claiming that Hamas was using the hospital to plan attacks. This strike is part of Israel’s broader campaign against Hamas leaders, which has intensified since the resumption of hostilities.
The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with over 50,000 Palestinians reportedly killed since the war began, and more than 700 in the past week alone.
