Egypt has introduced a new ceasefire proposal to halt the escalating violence in Gaza, where Israeli strikes killed 65 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, according to local health authorities. The plan, revealed by security sources, comes as 50,000 residents remain trapped in Rafah near the Egyptian border, facing dire humanitarian conditions.
The Egyptian initiative, tabled last week, demands Hamas release five Israeli hostages weekly, with Israel advancing to the second phase of a truce after the first week. Sources say the proposal outlines a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, backed by U.S. guarantees, in exchange for all remaining hostages. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, with 24 believed alive, from its October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and sparked the conflict.
Since Israel resumed operations against Hamas on March 18, nearly 700 Palestinians, including 400 women and children, have died, per Gaza officials. Among Monday’s casualties were journalists Mohammad Mansour and Hussam Shabat, raising the toll of media workers killed since October 2023 to 206, according to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate. Hamas also reported losses among its senior ranks.
The U.S. and Hamas have reportedly agreed to Egypt’s terms, but Israel has yet to respond. A Hamas official noted ongoing discussions to “bridge the gap” for renewed negotiations. Israel claims its operations aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and questions Gaza’s reported death toll, now exceeding 50,000 over 18 months.
In Rafah’s Tel Al-Sultan district, thousands are stranded without food, water, or medicine as Israeli forces encircle the area to target “terror infrastructure.” UNRWA reports 124,000 displaced in recent days, decrying the “humanitarian catastrophe” and urging an end to the siege. The international community watches closely as Egypt’s proposal hangs in the balance.
