Egypt proposes new proposal to restore Gaza truce

According to security sources, Egypt has proposed a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza truce pact as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli bombings had killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the previous 24 hours.

The proposal, made last week, comes after an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas militants on March 18, breaking a two-month period of relative calm after 15 months of war.

Gaza health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes and shelling had killed almost 700 Palestinians since then, including hundreds of women and children.

According to medics, among those killed on Monday were two local journalists, Mohammad Mansour and Hussam Shaba. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate reported that Israeli fire has killed at least 206 journalists in Gaza since the conflict began in early October 2023.

Later on Monday, the Israeli military stated that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it crossed into Israel. Warning sirens have sounded in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other locations. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have occasionally launched missiles at Israel in support of Hamas fighters.

According to two security sources, Egypt’s plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week.

Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be still alive, from the more than 250 it seized in its cross-border attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. The majority of the remaining prisoners have been released or their remains turned over in negotiated exchanges.

According to security sources, the US and Hamas have agreed to the idea; however, Israel has yet to respond.

A Hamas official did not confirm the proposed offer but told the media that “several proposals are being discussed with the mediators to bridge the gap and to resume negotiations to reach common ground that would pave the way to start the second phase of the agreement.”