Egypt's Bold Plan: Charting a Path to Peace in Gaza

A security delegation from Egypt travels to Qatar to discuss hostage releases and aid into Gaza. Egypt proposes a plan involving phased hostage releases and a ceasefire renewal. Tensions rise as both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of truce violations.

An Egyptian security delegation, acting as one of the mediators in the ongoing Gaza negotiations, embarked on a mission to Qatar to discuss critical issues, including the release of hostages and the admission of aid into the enclave. The delegation's efforts aim at advancing towards a second phase of a ceasefire, state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV reported on Thursday.

Egypt has put forth a new proposal seeking to restore the Gaza ceasefire, according to security sources speaking to Reuters. This initiative emerges after the escalation of violence due to Israel's recommencement of air and ground operations against Hamas militants on March 18, which disrupted a period of relative calm lasting two months.

The Egyptian proposal suggests that Hamas should release five Israeli hostages weekly, allowing Israel to initiate the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week. Both Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violating the existing truce, which had largely held since January, providing a temporary respite from conflict for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Amidst ongoing tensions, Hamas continues to hold 59 of the over 250 hostages Israel claims were captured during the group's attack on October 7, 2023. While Israel states willingness to extend the ceasefire conditionally, it insists on more hostage releases prior to negotiating a permanent peace deal.

(With inputs from agencies.)