Egypt Daily News – Recent discussions between Israeli and Egyptian officials indicate that a new proposal for negotiations regarding hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza has emerged.
The head of Egyptian General Intelligence has reportedly suggested a “small deal” to the head of Israeli Shin Bet, Ronen Bar. This deal would involve the release of a limited number of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing standstill in negotiations, which has persisted for nearly two months, has prompted many to look for renewed diplomatic efforts, especially following the death of former Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar.
Both American and Israeli officials see this moment as an opportunity to reignite talks that could lead to the release of the 101 hostages who remain in captivity.
During a recent meeting in Cairo, Bar conveyed to Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad the belief that the current circumstances present a viable opportunity to advance negotiations. Following his return from this meeting, Bar presented the Egyptian proposal to the Israeli Security Council.
The proposed initial “small deal” suggests a temporary ceasefire could take place in exchange for the liberation of a few hostages, paving the way for more comprehensive negotiations for a broader agreement involving additional hostages and an extended ceasefire.
While Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has expressed support for this initiative, there is internal opposition from extremist officials such as Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
As of now, Egyptian officials have not publicly commented on the details of the proposal.
