Egypt Daily News – A senior Egyptian source confirmed that intensive communications are ongoing with all parties in an effort to reach an agreement on Gaza as soon as possible.
The source revealed that Egyptian, Qatari, and American coordination continues regarding negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Egypt has urged both sides to show the necessary flexibility to reach an agreement aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The source also pointed to active Egyptian contacts intended to bring the concerned parties closer to returning to calm.
Earlier, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told the American news site Axios on Monday that he felt “disappointed” by Hamas’s rejection so far of his new proposal for a prisoner agreement and ceasefire in Gaza. Witkoff has been in direct communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his chief adviser Ron Dermer, and Hamas leadership through a back channel facilitated by Palestinian-American businessman Bashara Bahbah. Witkoff said, “What I’ve seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Hamas officials informed Arab media on Monday that the United States had submitted a new proposal for a prisoner deal and ceasefire.
According to reports, the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire with the release of five live prisoners on the first day and another five on the last day.
Hamas officials described the proposal as enhancing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and requiring Israeli forces to withdraw to the lines they held in March before the resumption of hostilities. According to the movement, the U.S. proposal stipulates that during ceasefire negotiations, the United States will ensure Israel negotiates seriously and will not unilaterally resume fighting as it did during the previous ceasefire.
The report noted that the U.S. proposal differs from Hamas’s own, presented Monday, in the number of live prisoners and bodies to be released during the ceasefire, as well as the timing and sequence of releases.
Witkoff’s latest proposal calls for releasing 10 live prisoners and 19 prisoner bodies in exchange for a 45 to 60-day ceasefire and the release of Palestinian detainees.
