Egypt Daily News – The Israeli radio said on Friday evening that a real proposal regarding the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza was put forward in recent hours by the Egyptians, in a new atmosphere that could be described as “a mediation proposal on top of the previous mediation.”
The radio clarified that “a new attempt by the parties to reach a formula for understanding between Israel and Hamas” has taken place. While the details of the proposal cannot be discussed, it can be said that it falls somewhere between the original proposal, which spoke about the release of five living prisoners, and the Israeli proposal, which spoke about the release of eleven living prisoners.
Trump’s envoy arrives in the region next week
The Israeli site (Walla) quoted a senior U.S. official as saying that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in the Middle East next week. He will meet in Abu Dhabi with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who heads the Israeli negotiating team on the prisoner issue.
The U.S. official said Witkoff may also visit Doha or Cairo if there are developments in the prisoner swap negotiations.
The official added that Witkoff met yesterday with the families of prisoners still held in Gaza, as well as with prisoners who were released in the last swap, and briefed them on the efforts being made to reach a new deal.
U.S. and Israeli officials told the site that they hope the protests in Gaza, along with Israeli military pressure, will push Hamas toward greater flexibility and agreeing to release more than five living prisoners in exchange for resuming the ceasefire.
