CAIRO. Egypt has proposed an initial two-day ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting an exchange of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas for several Palestinian prisoners, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced Sunday, as Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed 45 Palestinians across Gaza.
The Egyptian leader announced the proposal during a press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Cairo. Sisi emphasized that a ceasefire, even if temporary, could open the door to negotiations for a permanent truce. “Within 10 days of the temporary ceasefire, efforts to establish a lasting peace should commence,” Sisi urged, highlighting Egypt’s ongoing mediation role.
In Doha, Qatar, discussions are underway involving U.S. CIA Director William Burns and Israel’s Mossad Chief David Barnea, to broker a cessation to the conflict, now over a year old. The Palestinian death toll from Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza has reportedly reached 43,000, according to Gaza health officials, with extensive destruction seen across the enclave.
While neither Israeli nor Hamas officials immediately responded to Egypt’s proposal, a Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts told Reuters, “I expect Hamas would listen to the new offers, but it remains determined that any agreement must end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza.” Israeli officials, however, have previously indicated that the war will not end until Hamas is removed as a military and governing entity in Gaza.
Negotiators in Doha are working towards a short-term ceasefire that could lead to a more extended period of peace. An official informed of the discussions noted that both sides are encouraged to consider a truce lasting less than a month as a preliminary step toward a permanent ceasefire.
Amid the continuing violence, at least 43 individuals lost their lives on Sunday in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces are concentrated to dismantle remaining Hamas strongholds.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
