Egypt has presented a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, amid a surge in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas militants on March 18. The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week.
The proposal includes a timeline for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, backed by US guarantees, in exchange for the release of remaining hostages. Both Egypt and Hamas have agreed on this proposal, but Israel has yet to respond.
According to security sources, the Egyptian plan was discussed with mediators in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two parties and pave the way for renewed negotiations. The plan follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed its military operations, resulting in at least 65 people killed in Gaza in the past 24 hours.
Gaza health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes and shelling have killed nearly 700 Palestinians since March 18, including at least 400 women and children. Two local journalists were also among those killed on Monday.
Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but remains willing to negotiate a renewed truce. The proposal comes as thousands of people are trapped in Gaza’s southernmost city Rafah, with families stuck inside the Tel Al-Sultan district due to Israeli military operations.
The UN has also been affected by the conflict, with five staff members of its Palestinian relief agency UNRWA killed and 124,000 Palestinians displaced. The UN remains committed to providing aid to civilians despite reducing its footprint in Gaza.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-across-gaza-kills-21-people-health-authorities-say-2025-03-24