Egypt Proposes Two-Day Ceasefire in Gaza For Prisoner Exchange Amid Ongoing Hostilities

Egypt has proposed an initial two-day ceasefire in Gaza aimed at facilitating the exchange of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made this announcement as Israeli military strikes resulted in the deaths of 45 Palestinians across the enclave.

During a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Cairo, Sisi emphasised the importance of resuming negotiations within ten days of implementing the temporary ceasefire, with the ultimate goal of achieving a permanent resolution.

While there has been no immediate response from Israel or Hamas, a Palestinian official involved in the mediation process indicated to Reuters that Hamas is open to the new proposals. However, the group remains firm in its stance that any agreement must lead to an end to the conflict and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Israel has consistently stated that the war cannot conclude until Hamas is dismantled as both a military force and a governing authority in Gaza.

Negotiations, spearheaded by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, aim to bring an end to the war that erupted following a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza, with health officials reporting that the death toll from Israeli air and ground assaults has reached nearly 43,000. The densely populated enclave remains largely in ruins.

An official briefed on the talks mentioned that discussions in Doha are focused on establishing a short-term ceasefire and facilitating the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The goal is to achieve a temporary halt in hostilities that could pave the way for a more enduring ceasefire.

On Sunday, at least 43 of those killed in Gaza were reported from the northern part of the enclave, where Israeli forces have intensified operations to eliminate Hamas fighters believed to have regrouped there.

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