Egypt reaffirmed on Saturday its non-interference policy in Palestinian affairs, clarifying that it has offered a “framework for a proposal” aimed at halting the war in Gaza to bridge viewpoints among concerned parties, but has not yet put forward a formal initiative.
Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, in a statement to the Arab World News Agency, refuted recent misinformation, emphasizing, “Everything related to the Palestinian issue is strictly a Palestinian affair, and no one can interfere in it. Reports of forming a Palestinian government through external intervention are not true.”
Rashwan explained that Egypt’s proposal includes a three-phase approach, proposing extendable truces and the gradual release of dozens of prisoners held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. This, he believes, would ultimately lead to an end to the hostilities that erupted on October 7.
He further detailed that the proposal envisions a 10-day humanitarian truce, during which Hamas would release all hostages in its custody, including women, children, and the sick, in exchange for Israel’s release of an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
During this period, a complete ceasefire in the entire Gaza Strip would be observed by both sides. The Israeli forces would be redeployed away from residential areas, allowing free movement of citizens from south to north, as well as vehicle and truck traffic, while Hamas would cease all forms of operations against Israel.
To ensure the implementation of this vision, Rashwan stated that Israel must halt all forms of aerial activity, including drones and reconnaissance aircraft, and intensify the entry of humanitarian and relief aid, including medicines, medical supplies, fuel, and food, into the northern sector of the Strip without exception.
Rashwan added that Egypt has not yet received any responses to the proposal from the concerned parties. Egypt’s stance remains unchanged, focusing on the need for a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue through the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
This framework was presented last week to officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad during visits by leaders of both movements to Cairo.
