Egypt Proposes New Ceasefire Plan for Gaza, Hamas Responds Positively

Egypt has proposed a new initiative to revive the Gaza ceasefire, suggesting that Hamas release five Israeli hostages weekly, while Israel would initiate the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week. A Hamas official indicated that the group has responded positively to this proposal, which also includes a weeks-long truce and increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. Additionally, the deal may involve Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Ongoing negotiations are taking place between Egyptian officials, Israeli counterparts, and Hamas leadership, with Egypt seeking guarantees from the U.S. for any agreement. The Egyptian proposal also calls for Hamas to provide detailed information on hostages, including verification. The discussions reflect broader efforts to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the region.