An Israeli delegation met with Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas and secure the release of hostages from Gaza, according to reports from Qatari and Israeli media.
The proposed agreement, backed by Egypt and Qatar, includes a long-term truce lasting five to seven years, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has reportedly agreed to halt all military activity, including weapons production and tunnel construction, and expressed willingness to place its arms in a monitored warehouse.
The deal also includes a provision for Gaza to be governed by a nonpartisan Palestinian technocratic body, as envisioned in an Egyptian plan for postwar administration.
Despite progress, key questions remain. It’s unclear whether non-Israeli hostages, including two believed alive and several deceased foreign nationals, would be part of the exchange. Hamas rejected a recent partial ceasefire offer from Israel but signaled interest in a broader resolution.
Israel has not officially responded to the comprehensive proposal. Meanwhile, the IDF continues its operations in Gaza, with Palestinian sources reporting seven civilian deaths in recent airstrikes. Israel has not commented on specific strikes but reiterates that Hamas uses civilian areas as shields.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken, continues to claim lives. According to Hamas-run sources, over 50,000 people have been killed or are missing in Gaza — a figure Israel contests, saying it has eliminated around 20,000 militants.
With 59 hostages still in Gaza, including 24 believed alive, talks remain urgent but uncertain.
