Hamas has accepted a new Egyptian proposal to release five hostages, including American-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, in exchange for a renewed ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, CNN reported, citing a Hamas source.
Proposal Mirrors Earlier US Offer
The Egyptian offer is similar to an earlier proposal presented by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. However, it remains unclear whether this new agreement includes the release of the bodies of deceased hostages.
In return for releasing the hostages, Hamas seeks a return to phase 1 ceasefire conditions, allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and setting the stage for negotiating the second phase of the truce.
Israel Counters with Its Own Proposal
Israel responded with a counter-proposal conveyed to mediators in coordination with the United States. According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, consultations were held before Israel submitted its offer.
Israel’s Military Pressure on Hamas
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that Israel would maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza unless the hostages are released. He instructed the military to seize additional territory in Gaza while evacuating the population to expand security zones around Israeli communities.
“The more Hamas refuses to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel,” Katz warned.
Resumed Military Offensive in Gaza
The fragile ceasefire collapsed on Tuesday after Israel launched fresh attacks on Gaza, ending two months of relative calm that saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. Earlier this month, Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza, enforcing a complete blockade on humanitarian aid.
High Civilian Toll in Gaza
According to health authorities in Gaza, at least 50,277 Palestinians have been killed and 114,095 injured since Israel’s offensive began following Hamas’s deadly terror attacks on October 7, 2023.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the terms of the proposed truce and negotiate the future of the region.
