Egypt has proposed a new plan to reestablish a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

The new ceasefire plan offered by Egypt envisages Hamas releasing five Israeli hostages every week, and Israel implementing the second stage of the ceasefire by the end of the first week. Hamas still holds 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive. In an operation against Israel on October 7, 2023, Hamas took more than 250 people as hostages. Most of the remaining hostages were either released or their bodies were handed over. Security sources stated that the U.S. and Hamas had accepted this proposal, but Israel had not responded yet. Although a Hamas official did not confirm the offer directly, they stated to Reuters, “Various proposals are being discussed with mediators to establish a common ground to initiate the second stage of the agreement and resume negotiations.”

ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE

Security sources also mentioned that Egypt’s plan included a timeline for Israel to withdraw completely from Gaza, backed by U.S. assurances. While Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement in January, they expressed openness to negotiations for a new ceasefire. It is also reported that Hamas is evaluating proposals presented by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff. Egypt’s offer came after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire following a 15-month war. As the proposal was delivered last week, Palestinian health officials reported that at least 65 people had been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza in the last 24 hours. Health authorities in Gaza revealed that due to Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, around 700 Palestinians had lost their lives since that date, with at least 400 being women and children. Among those killed on Monday were local journalists Muhammed Mansur and Hussam Shabat. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate announced that at least 206 journalists had died as a result of Israeli attacks since the conflict began in October 2023. There has been no official statement from Israel regarding this matter. Hamas also announced that some members, including senior political and security officials, had been killed.

NEW VIDEO FROM HAMAS

On Monday, Hamas released a video featuring 35-year-old Elkana Bohbot and 24-year-old Yosef Haim-Ohana, who were abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7. Palestinian officials stated that the number of casualties in the conflict over the past 18 months had exceeded 50,000.

CURRENT SITUATION IN RAFIAH

Israeli assaults on Gaza have intensified in the southern city of Rafah. The Rafah municipality reported that Israeli military forces had entered some areas and that thousands of people were trapped in the Tel Al-Sultan district. Authorities also emphasized a shortage of water, food, and medicine in this area. Palestinian Civil Emergency Services reported that 50,000 people were cornered in Rafah. The Israeli army claimed to have launched an operation in the region to “destroy terrorist infrastructure and neutralize terrorists.” A United Nations (UN) spokesperson stated on Monday that they would reduce their presence in Gaza due to the renewed escalation of conflicts, but would continue to provide humanitarian aid to civilians. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that 124,000 Palestinians had been displaced in the past few days. UNRWA stated on its X (formerly Twitter) account, “Families are forced to migrate with only a few belongings. They have no shelter or safety. Israeli authorities have cut off all aid. There is a shortage of food, and prices have soared. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The siege must end.”