Egypt proposes two-day ceasefire in Gaza, hostage and prisoner exchange

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is advocating for a two-day ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of four Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, Reuters reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo on Sunday, el-Sisi explained that this short-term truce could pave the way for broader negotiations over the next ten days, with the goal of establishing a permanent ceasefire and ending the Gaza conflict. His proposal also includes provisions for delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

So far there has been no response from Israel or Hamas. 

This initiative coincides with a meeting in Doha involving the heads of the CIA and Mossad, alongside Qatar's prime minister, to discuss ceasefire possibilities.

Egypt, along with the U.S. and Qatar, has been working for over a year to mediate a resolution to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Experts suggest that the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 8 attack on Israel, might present Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an opportunity to declare a victory over Hamas and bring the war to a close.

However, significant challenges remain. Hamas insists on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel aims to retain control over two key corridors. Given these unresolved issues, optimism for a comprehensive agreement remains limited.