Egypt has proposed a two-week ceasefire extension in exchange for the release of six hostages, following Hamas’ rejection of a previous ceasefire framework. Israel agreed to the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire, but Hamas condemned it as evasive. Egyptian officials continue to push for a full Israeli withdrawal from certain territories and emphasize the need for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, insisting on adherence to international humanitarian law.
Egypt has proposed a two-week extension for the current ceasefire, contingent upon the release of six hostages—three alive and three deceased. This proposal follows Hamas’ rejection of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s framework for a ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover, which aimed to facilitate further negotiations. As the first stage of the ceasefire lapsed over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that Israel had agreed to the U.S. framework, which would allow for the progressive release of hostages.
Hamas has contested this proposal, deeming it an evasion of negotiations for the next phase. In this context, an Israeli delegation may travel to Cairo to deliberate on Egypt’s latest offer after Netanyahu’s decision. Additionally, Egyptian officials remained firm on their stance regarding a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, proposing a U.S.-managed security initiative along the Gaza strip.
During a press conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati emphasized the importance of adhering fully to the ceasefire agreement and expressed the urgency of commencing negotiations for its second stage. He also indicated that Egypt has finalized its reconstruction plan for Gaza, awaiting approval from Arab leaders before disclosure to foreign entities.
Abdel Ati addressed the humanitarian crisis by condemning Israel’s decision to restrict aid access to Gaza. He stated that the ceasefire agreement recognizes the necessity of unrestricted humanitarian aid, asserting that the use of aid as a mechanism of punishment contradicts international humanitarian law. The ongoing endeavors to mediate a second phase of the ceasefire underscore the complexities surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the urgent need for cooperative dialogue.
In summary, Egypt’s recent proposal for a two-week ceasefire extension seeks to facilitate the release of hostages amid stalled negotiations. The complex dynamics between Israel and Hamas and the urgent need for humanitarian access reflect the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region. Egypt’s diplomatic efforts, underscored by foreign minister Badr Abdel Ati, aim to ensure compliance with international humanitarian principles while advocating for support from European partners for ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Original Source: allisrael.com
