Egypt’s suggested deal for ceasefire in Gaza is ‘preliminary proposal’, Source

CAIRO – 26 December 2023:  An official Egyptian source said to Al Qahera News Channel that what is being discussed regarding an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip is only a ‘preliminary proposal’.

The source added that an ‘integrated position’ will be developed after obtaining the approval of all parties.

A delegation of the Palestinian Jehad Movement led by the movement’s Secretary General Zeyad Nakhala arrived in Egypt Sunday to discuss the conditions in Gaza Strip.

Egypt has presented to Israel and Hamas a new proposal for a prisoner exchange deal, consisting of three stages, Israeli Channel 13 reported an Israeli official, on Sunday.

The first phase includes that Hamas has to release about 40 Israeli detainees, including women, the sick, and elderly men, in exchange for a ceasefire for two or three weeks.

In the second stage, Hamas releases female soldiers and bodies, in exchange for Israel releasing prisoners and agreeing to a truce. Meanwhile, third stage includes that Hamas releases Israeli men and soldiers, in exchange for releasing Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, and reaching a comprehensive ceasefire.

However, the Palestinian movements of Jehad and Hamas said that no negotiations on any prisoner swap deal without a complete ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza. They also insist on releasing all Israeli captives for all Palestinian prisoners who are inside Israeli prisons.