
Egypt's president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Sunday (October 27) announced a proposal for a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the aim of securing the release of four hostages held in Gaza.
During a press conference in Cairo, alongside Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Egyptian president shared his proposal amidst plans for discussions in Doha involving diplomats from Israel, the US, Egypt, and Qatar, intended to revive stalled truce negotiations.
Egypt, a significant mediator alongside Qatar and the United States, has now made this proposal publicly for the first time. So far, there has been no official response from Israel or Hamas regarding the suggestion.
President el-Sissi explained that the initiative aims to “move the situation forward”. He added that if the ceasefire holds for two days, further discussions would pursue an extended ceasefire.
Negotiations would aim for a temporary pause in hostilities and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israel's release of Palestinian detainees, as per an Egyptian official.
The talks aim to reach a short-term ceasefire, expected to last under a month, in hopeof establishing a more lasting peace agreement.
This proposal follows a brief ceasefire in November, during which fighting paused and hostages and prisoners were exchanged.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Mossad chief was travelling to Doha on Sunday for meetings with Qatar’s prime minister and the CIA director.
The announcement coincided with reports from Palestinian officials of Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza on Sunday, which they say left at least 33 dead, primarily women and children. Israel stated the strikes were aimed at militant targets.
The United Nations described the humanitarian situation for civilians in northern Gaza as "unbearable", criticising the conduct of the conflict, which it says disregards international humanitarian law.
"The Secretary-General is shocked by the harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction in the north, with civilians trapped under rubble, the sick and wounded going without life-saving health care, and families lacking food and shelter, amid reports of families being separated and many people detained," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
(With inputs from agencies)