Significant progress has been made in ongoing negotiations in Cairo regarding a detainee exchange deal and a ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip, as revealed by a high-level Egyptian source. This progress includes consensus on the main pillars among all parties involved in the conflict.
Another Arab source disclosed on Monday that the United States is pushing for Hamas and Israel to agree to a ceasefire within the next few days. The U.S. has requested Egypt and Qatar to exert pressure on Hamas, while Washington itself pressures Israel to agree to a prisoner exchange deal and a six-week truce, as reported by the Arab World News Agency (AWP). The American proposal in the negotiations includes details on the number of displaced persons returning from the south to the north of Gaza and the number of prisoners to be released by both sides.
The American proposition also includes proposals related to halting reconnaissance flights and fighting for specific hours, starting negotiations on the second and third phases of the truce during the implementation of the first phase. It is also mentioned that the Israeli withdrawal from city centers will continue during the truce, with an announcement of the American proposal expected in the coming hours.
Israeli sources have stated that Tel Aviv views the American proposal positively and is awaiting Hamas’s response to it. This news comes after a significant breakthrough in the talks on the prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire in Gaza, with considerable progress in reconciling differing viewpoints noted. The report highlights that the Qatari and Hamas delegations have left Cairo following the discussions and will return in two days to finalize the terms of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the American and Israeli delegations are expected to leave within hours as consultations on the agreement continue over the next two days. The mediators hope that the potential truce will be implemented, and the exchange of detainees will begin by Eid al-Fitr this week.
No changes were proposed by the United States regarding aids, tents, and mobile homes due to consensus in previous negotiations on these matters. Washington’s involvement was limited to the method of distributing aid and ensuring it reaches the rightful recipients.
The return of thousands of displaced persons to the north of Gaza remains the main sticking point in reaching a deal that allows for the exchange of prisoners and a ceasefire, as previously mentioned by officials from the United States, Israel, and Egypt.
Arab mediators involved in the talks have disclosed that the Israeli side is open to allowing returns to the north at a rate of two thousand people per day, primarily women and children, as reported by “The Wall Street Journal.” Israel has set a maximum return limit of 60,000 Palestinians, excluding males aged between 18 and 50 years.
Arab officials have explained that the return of Gaza’s displaced residents could begin 10 days to two weeks after a ceasefire agreement is implemented if finalized. However, returnees would have to pass through Israeli military checkpoints to prevent Hamas fighters from infiltrating back into the north, according to Israeli and Egyptian officials.
Hamas rejects these conditions, insisting on the removal of checkpoints and maintaining the reunification of returning families to the north, refusing the exclusion of adult males.
Additionally, Hamas reiterates its demands for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the return of displaced persons to their homes, and the freedom of movement and relief for Palestinians.
Hamas is awaiting a response from its leadership in the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli side is expected to respond to the American proposal within 48 hours.
