CAIRO – A new proposal for a potential Gaza ceasefire landed with Hamas in Cairo on Monday, winning the group’s approval and shifting focus back to Israel. The initiative, however, was swiftly dismissed by Israeli leadership and publicly undermined by former US President Donald Trump.
Seeking to break a diplomatic deadlock as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepare for a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, Qatari and Egyptian mediators proposed an initial 60-day truce. This pause aims to facilitate negotiations and the release of 49 Israeli hostages – both living and deceased – in two distinct phases. The first phase would see 10 living hostages and 18 deceased hostages freed immediately upon acceptance. Sources within Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, however, signaled strong rejection, stating, “They want to return to discussing an agreement because they fear we will invade Gaza City.”
Hamas consulted with its leadership and other Palestinian factions, notably Islamic Jihad, before accepting the framework. An Egyptian mediation source described the plan as a “draft framework agreement to initiate negotiations for a permanent ceasefire” within the two-month pause. The remaining hostages – estimated at 12 living and 9 deceased – would be released in a second phase, followed by immediate talks for a broader agreement to end the war and aggression permanently, backed by international guarantees, according to an Islamic Jihad source briefed by AFP.
This proposal, similar to one developed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, was formally delivered to Israel by Egypt and Qatar, who stated “the ball is now in Israel’s court.” Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, has repeatedly rejected partial deals, insisting he will only accept an end to the war if Hamas simultaneously releases all hostages, disarms, and allows Gaza’s demilitarization. Hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reinforced this stance, asserting Netanyahu lacks a mandate for a partial agreement and threatening to quit the coalition again.
Netanyahu’s hardline position found support from Donald Trump. “We will only get the remaining hostages back when Hamas is confronted and destroyed. The sooner this happens, the greater the chances of success,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Signaling imminent military action, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved plans to occupy Gaza City, involving a nearly two-month evacuation period followed by encirclement and occupation.
Netanyahu, meeting IDF officers, expressed disdain for Hamas: “Like you, I listen to the news, and one impression emerges: Hamas is under enormous pressure.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed this: “For the first time in weeks, Hamas is willing to discuss a hostage deal solely because it fears we seriously intend to conquer Gaza City, the core of its power.”
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