Israel is currently evaluating an Egyptian initiative aimed at halting the ongoing war in Gaza, according to Barak Ravid, a correspondent for the American news site Axios.
The Israeli official described the Egyptian proposal as “preliminary” but acknowledged its significance and positive nature.
The official underscored Egypt’s substantial influence on Hamas, suggesting that increased Egyptian control over the efforts to resume talks could enhance the chances of success.
The first phase of the Egyptian initiative closely resembles a proposal previously presented by the head of the Israeli Mossad, David Barnea, last week during meetings in Warsaw with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The Egyptian initiative unfolds in three stages, starting with a two-week humanitarian truce that could be extended. It involves an exchange where Hamas would release 40 detainees in return for 120 Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase includes a national Palestinian dialogue under Egyptian sponsorship and the formation of a technocrat government overseeing humanitarian relief efforts.
The final stage proposes a complete ceasefire and a prisoner exchange covering all Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and Palestinian factions. The number of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel will be decided during this phase.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel would continue its military operations in Gaza “until its objectives are achieved,” implying a long battle and a commitment to fighting until the return of captives and the defeat of Hamas.
However, Israel’s Channel 13 reported a lack of consensus within Israel regarding the Egyptian proposal. While Israel seems prepared to accept the first phase, which somewhat resembles a ceasefire that collapsed earlier in December, there is currently no commitment to the subsequent stages, particularly the third one.
Israeli Army Radio (Kan) reported an Israeli security source considering a request to expel Hamas leaders from the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire.
The source mentioned that this possibility was discussed among senior military and political officials but clarified that “there is no concrete proposal to do this on the table at the moment.”
The source added that the expulsion of Hamas leaders would not conflict with the objectives of the war and that several countries, including Qatar, might accept them.
An Israeli official told Axios that Tel Aviv has no indication of Hamas’s stance on the Egyptian initiative and expressed skepticism about Israel accepting the third phase. However, the official noted that the first phase closely aligns with Israel’s position.
This ongoing diplomatic effort reflects the complexities of the situation in Gaza and the significant role of Egypt in mediating conflict resolution in the region.
