An Egyptian-led proposal to de-escalate the renewed conflict in Gaza aims to secure the release of five living hostages on the first day of a restored ceasefire, followed by additional releases every 7-10 days. The plan, which diplomats say includes a commitment to further negotiations, is being met with Israeli denial that such a proposal has been officially received.
Egypt’s Proposal Seeks to Reignite Ceasefire Talks
Egyptian officials have outlined a structured plan to end the latest round of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, two foreign diplomats familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel. According to the proposal, the first phase would see five hostages freed immediately, including dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander. Subsequent releases would follow in weekly intervals, provided conditions hold.
While Cairo is pushing for an agreement, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office has dismissed claims that any formal offer has been presented. This public denial underscores the deep mistrust between negotiating parties and the fragile nature of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
IDF Positions and Territorial Adjustments in the Proposal
Under the Egyptian framework, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would reposition to the locations they occupied during the initial ceasefire. Previously, Israeli forces maintained a buffer zone inside Gaza’s border and held strategic positions along the Philadelphi Corridor. However, they withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, a key strip dividing the territory in two.
Since fighting resumed, the IDF has moved back into portions of the Netzarim Corridor, creating a new challenge for ceasefire negotiations. The Egyptian plan stipulates that discussions would continue on whether the IDF should also withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a sensitive area along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Guaranteed Talks on a Second Phase
One of the core elements of the proposal is a guarantee that negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire would take place. Israel had previously avoided committing to such talks, despite prior agreements indicating their necessity. The new framework seeks to enforce Israel’s participation, potentially laying the groundwork for a more sustained truce.
Past agreements have shown a pattern of temporary de-escalations followed by resumed fighting. In mid-January, a 42-day ceasefire deal resulted in Hamas releasing 30 living hostages and eight bodies, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 detainees. That deal collapsed before the second phase could be fully negotiated, leaving future agreements in limbo.
Ongoing Uncertainty and Diplomatic Disputes
As the situation develops, several key questions remain unanswered:
- Will Israel formally acknowledge the Egyptian plan, or continue to deny its existence?
- How will Hamas respond to a structured hostage release schedule?
- Can the IDF’s repositioning satisfy both security concerns and diplomatic conditions?
For now, the fate of hostages and any potential ceasefire hinge on whether these negotiations can move beyond speculation and into concrete action. Until then, the conflict continues with no clear resolution in sight.
