Egypt Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire with New Proposal Amid Intense Diplomatic Talks

Watan-Well-informed sources said that Egyptian officials have held intensive contacts in recent hours with their counterparts in Israel, the U.S. administration, and the leadership of Hamas, during which an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza was presented as part of the ongoing de-escalation efforts.

In this context, the sources stated that high-level Egyptian-American communications took place recently, during which the Egyptian side expressed its willingness to reach an understanding with Hamas regarding the continued release of hostages—provided there are clear American guarantees for any potential agreement.

A senior Egyptian source stated that the negotiation track related to the proposed urgent ceasefire is still active, noting that Hamas has not withdrawn from the talks and has not expressed a rejection of the proposed ideas.

Egypt Tables New Gaza Ceasefire Plan

The source said: “There is an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza on the table for both sides, and broader engagement in the negotiations is awaited through the dispatch of delegations to Cairo, with the aim of accelerating an agreement.” He clarified that the latest Egyptian proposal ensures that the resistance provides detailed information about the living hostages, the deceased, and the wounded—along with visual materials to confirm the accuracy of this data.

The proposal also includes an initial truce that would bring about an immediate ceasefire, followed by deeper negotiations to establish a timeline for the release of remaining hostages in exchange for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

In this context, Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy, former assistant to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, stated that what Israel is doing through its ongoing and violent escalation in Gaza reflects a deliberate approach to violating international law and shows a clear disregard for previously reached commitments and agreements—most recently the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

The Agreement Was Not Spontaneous

Hegazy added that this agreement was not spontaneous, but rather the result of intensive diplomatic efforts led by Egypt in partnership with Qatar and the United States, lasting over a year under direct American oversight. However, he noted that Israel introduced sudden changes during the final moments of the negotiations, which undermined the understandings reached and derailed the first phase of implementation. Israeli forces continued their bombardment and ignored humanitarian obligations, including the entry of aid and equipment to ease civilian suffering.

He explained that the second phase of the agreement was meant to be a decisive turning point, as it included a complete withdrawal from Gaza, the launch of reconstruction efforts, and reaching a permanent truce. But Israeli policies prevented that outcome. Hegazy pointed out that Egypt had realized from the beginning that the developments went beyond the declared security objectives and were part of a broader plan aimed at emptying Gaza of its population, as part of a religiously driven Zionist project that also targets the West Bank.

Hamas Signals Flexibility in Ceasefire Talks

Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha confirmed that the movement is committed to implementing the agreement’s terms and is showing a high degree of flexibility and responsibility in dealing with it. He emphasized that “the best option at this stage is to continue discussions with mediators to bring viewpoints closer,” noting that Hamas has responded positively to the proposals put forward by mediators to push the agreement forward.

Taha added that “Hamas, stemming from its national responsibilities toward the Palestinian people and its keenness to end the aggression and lift the blockade, will continue to engage positively with the efforts being made—even though the mediators are increasingly aware that the occupation does not fulfill its obligations or respect what has been agreed upon.”