CAIRO (AP) – Hamas said yesterday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a possible Israeli ground offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said the group was evaluating Israel’s proposal, and “upon completion of its study, it will submit its response”.
He gave no details of Israel’s offer but said it was in response to an earlier proposal from Hamas. Negotiations earlier this month cantered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Hamas’ statement came hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation wrapped up a visit to Israel where it discussed a “new vision” for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official.
The discussions between Egyptian and Israeli officials focused on the first stage of a multi-phase plan that would include a limited exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, and the return of a significant number of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza “with minimum restrictions”, the Egyptian official said.
The mediators are working on a compromise that will answer most of both parties’ main demands which could pave the way to continued negotiations with the goal of a larger deal to end the war, the official said.
As the war drags on, there has been growing international pressure for Hamas and Israel to reach an agreement on a cease-fire and avert a possible attack on Rafah.
Israel has been insisting for months it plans a ground offensive into Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where it said many remaining Hamas militants are holed up, despite calls for restraint from the international community including Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States.
