Mediators from Qatar and Egypt have presented a new ceasefire plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, according to a senior Palestinian official speaking to the BBC. The proposal reportedly includes:
- A truce lasting five to seven years
- The release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
- A formal end to the war
- Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
A senior Hamas delegation is set to arrive in Cairo for further talks. Israel has not yet publicly responded to the proposal.
The discussions come amid continued Israeli airstrikes, which Gaza’s health ministry says killed 26 people and injured 60 others over the past 24 hours. The Israel Defense Forces stated it targeted 40 engineering vehicles allegedly used by Hamas for military purposes.
Hamas has signaled willingness to hand over control of Gaza to a mutually agreed Palestinian authority. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject any future role for the Palestinian Authority and has reiterated that the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are returned.
This comes as the humanitarian situation worsens and diplomatic pressure grows. Whether the new ceasefire plan gains traction remains uncertain.