Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has proposed a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the goal of releasing four hostages held in Gaza and freeing some Palestinian prisoners. The proposal also includes the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. El-Sissi made the announcement in Cairo, marking the first time he has publicly proposed such a plan. There has been no immediate response from Israel or Hamas, which has consistently demanded that Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza as a precondition for any ceasefire.
The proposal comes as tensions between Israel and Hamas have continued to escalate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to withdraw Israeli forces, stating that they will remain in Gaza until Israel has destroyed Hamas. The last ceasefire ended in November, and there has been a significant increase in violence since then. Israel has been conducting airstrikes on Gaza, while Hamas has fired rockets into Israel.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. The provision of aid is a critical component of the proposed ceasefire, and it is hoped that this will help alleviate some of the suffering. The release of hostages and prisoners is also seen as a key step towards finding a permanent solution to the crisis.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi (Image via Getty)
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, and there have been numerous attempts to broker a ceasefire. Egypt has been a key mediator, along with Qatar and the United States. The country has a long history of involvement in resolving conflicts in the region, and its proposals are often seen as a potential game-changer.
In other developments, Israel’s Mossad chief was travelling to Doha for talks with the prime minister of Qatar and the CIA chief. This meeting is seen as an important step in trying to find a way forward, as Qatar has been a key player in efforts to mediate a ceasefire.
The proposal by Egypt’s President el-Sissi is seen as a last-ditch effort to stave off further violence and find a way to end the crisis. With no immediate response from Israel or Hamas, it remains unclear whether the proposal will be accepted or rejected. However, there is hope that this initiative will help to find a way forward and bring an end to the violence.
