Egypt doubts viability of new Gaza ceasefire proposal

Egypt remains doubtful that Hamas will accept the latest ceasefire terms in negotiations with Israel, according to the Associated Press (AP).

For several months, Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar have acted as mediators in the Gaza conflict. The newest proposal, known as the “bridging proposal,” is divided into three phases. The first phase demands that Hamas release its Israeli hostages. However, subsequent phases offer no guarantees of ending the war in Gaza or Israel's withdrawal from the territory.

“The Americans are offering promises, not guarantees,” an Egyptian official with direct knowledge of the negotiations told the AP. “Hamas won’t accept this, because it virtually means Hamas will release the civilian hostages in return for a six-week pause of fighting with no guarantees for a negotiated permanent cease-fire.”

The current proposal also does not require Israel to withdraw from critical areas such as the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and the Netzarim corridor, something that is unacceptable to Hamas and Egypt.

The sources said Egypt has informed Israel and the U.S. that it will not reopen the Rafah crossing into Gaza—a vital channel for humanitarian aid—until Israeli forces completely withdraw from the Palestinian side of the border and the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel has been targeting smuggling tunnels used by Hamas there. Israeli officials claim over 150 of these tunnels have been destroyed.

Negotiators plan to reconvene in Cairo on Thursday and Friday for further discussions before presenting the proposal to Hamas.