After nearly seven months of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, hopes have revived for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. While Hamas reported that it is considering a new proposal put forth by the Egyptian side before delivering its response, three Israeli officials indicated that the Israeli negotiation team has reduced the number of detainees it initially sought to be released in the first phase of the anticipated deal with Hamas for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza. The officials stated that Israel is now asking for the release of 33 detainees instead of 40, as reported by the "New York Times."
It was also noted that an Israeli delegation plans to travel to Cairo today, Tuesday, to resume ceasefire discussions if Hamas agrees to attend as well, in light of the latest proposal being considered by both parties, which involves the release of between 20 and 40 Israelis in exchange for a ceasefire lasting one day or slightly more for each prisoner released. This comes after a Hamas delegation left the Egyptian capital on Monday, with plans to return with a written response to the proposed truce deal.
Mahamoud al-Mardawi, a Hamas leader, previously stated that the movement is currently studying a new proposal regarding Gaza presented by the Egyptians in collaboration with the Qataris, stressing that the movement has not yet issued a comment on this proposal.
It is noteworthy that on Monday, after months of unproductive discussions, a meeting took place in Cairo between representatives from Egypt and Qatar, the two mediating countries alongside the United States in the ceasefire negotiations, and a delegation from Hamas, which is expected to respond to the proposal negotiated with Israel. The Hamas delegation left Egypt, returning to Qatar "for consultations and to respond as quickly as possible."
The negotiators had previously reached an agreement that led to the release of about 100 Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in the Strip in exchange for the release of over 400 Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, approximately 130 Israelis remain detained in Gaza, of which it is believed that 34 have likely died, according to estimates from Israeli officials. On the Palestinian side, thousands of Palestinians have been imprisoned in Israeli jails for years, and the Israeli forces have recently arrested hundreds in the Gaza Strip as well.
