A New Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Proposed With Egyptian and Qatari Mediators

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have introduced a new formula aimed at ending the protracted Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, according to a senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations told the BBC.

The proposal envisions a comprehensive long-term solution, featuring a truce lasting between five and seven years, the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, a formal declaration ending hostilities, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

"This represents the most substantive proposal since the previous ceasefire collapsed last month," said the Palestinian official, who described Hamas's approach to the current mediation effort as showing "unprecedented flexibility."

A senior Hamas delegation led by Mohammed Darwish, head of its political council, and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, was expected to arrive in Cairo for consultations on the proposal. Israel has not yet commented on the mediators' plan.

The negotiations come against a backdrop of continued violence. Since Monday evening, Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed 22 Palestinians and injured 45 others in Khan Younis, Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Gaza City, according to a medical official from the Hamas-run health ministry.

Local residents described the strikes as "extremely intense," with witnesses reporting the destruction of dozens of bulldozers and heavy machinery used by Hamas-run municipalities to clear rubble and rescue victims trapped beneath debris. Israeli tanks have also been observed moving in southern Rafah.

The meeting in Cairo follows Hamas's rejection of Israel's previous proposal, which demanded the movement disarm in exchange for a six-week truce. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his position that the war would not end before Hamas was destroyed and all hostages returned, while Hamas has insisted Israel commit to ending the war before hostages are freed.

According to the Palestinian official, Hamas has signaled willingness to transfer governance of Gaza to "any Palestinian entity agreed upon at the national and regional level," potentially including the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority or a newly formed administrative body. Netanyahu has previously ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza's future governance.

"While obstacles remain, both sides understand the humanitarian imperative of finding a sustainable solution," said Dr. Amira Hassan, professor of conflict resolution at American University in Cairo. "The key question is whether either side is willing to compromise on their core demands."

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages to Gaza. Israel's subsequent military campaign has resulted in 51,240 Palestinian deaths, according to figures released Monday by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

In a related development, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has instructed its staff to relocate with their families to the Egyptian city of Arish near the Gaza border. These personnel had been coordinating medical evacuations from Gaza to Egyptian hospitals and facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries.

As international pressure for a resolution intensifies, diplomatic sources suggest that the coming days will be crucial in determining whether this latest proposal can bridge the significant gaps that have prevented previous ceasefire attempts from succeeding.