Hamas considers ceasefire proposal with hostage release and sustainable calm agreement brokered by Egypt

Hamas is considering a new framework proposed by Egypt, which involves releasing up to 33 hostages kidnapped from Israel in exchange for a pause in hostilities in Gaza. The proposal consists of two phases: the first calls for between 20 and 33 hostages to be released over several weeks along with the release of Palestinian prisoners in return for an interim ceasefire, while the second phase is referred to as “the restoration of sustainable calm”. This latter stage involves swapping the remaining hostages, captured Israeli soldiers and deceased hosts’ remains for additional Palestinians imprisoned. According to diplomatic sources familiar with negotiations, this terminology serves as a way to agree on permanent peace without explicitly calling it that. Israel has helped draft the proposal but hasn’t fully agreed yet; however, they are waiting for Hamas’ response after Egyptian and Qatari mediators meet in Cairo on Monday. The length of the first phase will be linked to the number of hostages released, with each release being paired up by a day-long pause during negotiations that might change later. Previously, 40 hostages were required for six weeks’ ceasefire; however, Hamas has dropped its offer down below twenty people this month. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday at the World Economic Forum President Børge Brende in Riyadh that “Hamas have been presented with a ceasefire proposal which is incredibly generous for Israel”. Israeli officials claim to be ready and open-minded about negotiating ‘the restoration of sustainable calm’ as part of an overall deal aimed towards concluding the conflict. Egypt has proposed agreeing on one year ceasefire in addition to having all remaining hosts taken by Israeli forces leaving Gaza, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire alongside complete withdrawal from the territory that Israel presently occupies there. Moreover, Israel reportedly consented to Palestinians’ unrestricted movement towards northern Gaza as part of this new framework proposed by Egypt. Nonetheless, Israeli officials have signalled for months an imminent military operation in Rafah; however, they claim to be giving negotiations some space at present.