What Discussions Took Place at the Egyptian-Israeli Meeting in Cairo Regarding a Gaza Ceasefire?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The meeting in Cairo is a crucial step towards a potential ceasefire in Gaza.
- Egypt proposed a six-month truce in exchange for hostages.
- The Israeli delegation's response to the proposal remains unclear.
- Ongoing negotiations involve key regional players like Qatar and the United States.
- Humanitarian concerns in Gaza are a significant aspect of the discussions.
Cairo, April 29 (NationPress) A significant meeting occurred in Cairo, where Egyptian officials engaged with an Israeli security team led by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, focusing on a new proposal aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, according to reliable Egyptian sources.
In an interview with Xinhua, sources indicated that Egypt introduced a fresh initiative calling for a temporary six-month truce in return for the release of half of the Israeli hostages currently detained in Gaza.
This follows Israel's recent dismissal of a prior Egyptian proposal that suggested a longer five-year ceasefire in exchange for the release of all Israeli hostages in the coastal enclave, as noted by the same sources.
Additionally, the new Egyptian proposal proposes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza and includes plans for the reconstruction of the area.
Earlier today, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported that the head of Egypt’s intelligence, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, is set to meet with the Israeli negotiation team in Cairo to deliberate on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
This meeting comes after a recent visit by a Hamas delegation to Egypt, where talks were held regarding a ceasefire in the Strip, as reported by the Xinhua news agency, citing Al-Qahera channel.
On Saturday, a Hamas delegation, led by senior leader Khalil al-Hayya, consented in Cairo to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-year truce, according to an Egyptian security source speaking with Xinhua. However, Israel's state-owned broadcaster Kan reported that this proposal was rejected by Israel.
On March 2, Israel ceased the entry of aid supplies into Gaza following the expiration of the initial six-week phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which commenced on January 19. Israel justified this action by citing Hamas' refusal to extend the first phase. Following this, Israeli forces renewed strikes across Gaza on March 18, effectively concluding the phased truce.
Ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have been in progress for weeks, aiming to resolve the extended conflict in Gaza, which began in October 2023.