Egypt proposes 2-week ceasefire extension with release of additional 6 hostages – 3 living, 3 deceased

Egypt is trying to bridge the gaps between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, according to the pan-Arab news outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed. 

As part of a new Egyptian proposal, phase 1 of the current hostage-ceasefire would be extended by two weeks in exchange for the release of three living hostages and three deceased. 

The report follows the expiration of the first stage of the ceasefire on Saturday, with no negotiations initiated for the second stage.

Late on Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had adopted a framework proposed by U.S. presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. 

If Hamas accepted the proposal, half of the living and deceased hostages would be released at the start of the framework, with the rest freed upon its completion – provided an agreement was reached for a permanent ceasefire.

However, Hamas rejected the proposal, calling it “a blatant attempt to evade the [ceasefire] agreement and evade entering into negotiations for the second phase of it.” 

According to the report, an Israeli delegation could arrive in Cairo in the coming hours to discuss the proposal, pending a decision by Netanyahu. 

Egyptian sources also told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that Egypt maintains its position regarding a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor in exchange for a U.S.-managed security project on the Gaza border. 

During a press conference on Sunday with the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati said that "there is no substitute for the full implementation of the agreement by all parties. The ceasefire agreement consists of three stages, we have completed the first stage and we must enter into quick negotiations to discuss the second stage.” 

Abdel Aati stated that Egypt has finalized its plan for Gaza’s reconstruction but will present it at the Arab League summit in Cairo on Monday. He added that the plan's details would not be shared with any foreign party until approved by Arab leaders.

At the press conference, the Egyptian minister noted the ongoing crisis related to the ceasefire agreement.

“Cairo is making intensive efforts to start negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.” Abdel Aati also expressed Egypt’s hope that the European Union would apply pressure to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza.

"The second stage of the Gaza agreement will be difficult, but you have to satisfy the political will to start it," the minister [Abdel Aati] clarified. 

The Egyptian minister also commented on Netanyahu’s decision to suspend humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza:

“The Gaza agreement includes full access to aid,” Abdel-Aati said. "It is forbidden to allow or agree to the use of aid as a weapon of collective punishment and starvation, this is something that we completely reject and it constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”