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Israel Imposes Conditions for Ceasefire in Gaza... Hamas Responds to Egyptian Proposal
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The Egyptian proposal may present an opportunity for renewed negotiations, but faces obstacles due to Israel's hardened position
As mediators intensify efforts to reactivate the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israel has established new conditions for any potential truce. The Israeli Foreign Minister announced that Tel Aviv will not permit humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip if Hamas stands to benefit from it.
The minister emphasized that the war could end immediately if Hamas relinquishes its weapons and releases Israeli hostages.
For her part, European Union Foreign Policy Commissioner Kaya Kallas stressed the necessity of excluding Hamas from any future role in Gaza, considering that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas and its regional allies.
In contrast, Egypt, which has played a pivotal role in mediation, has proposed a new initiative to restore calm. An Egyptian official revealed that the initiative includes Hamas releasing five hostages, including an Israeli-American, in exchange for allowing aid into Gaza and a one-week cessation of fighting.
According to informed sources, Hamas has responded "positively" to the initiative without disclosing additional details.
Israel terminated the ceasefire last week by launching intensive air strikes that claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. Hamas rejected an American proposal requiring the release of more hostages before beginning negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, insisting it would not release any additional hostages except within an agreement that includes releasing Palestinian detainees and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
As airstrikes continue, the future of de-escalation remains contingent on international mediators' ability to overcome Israeli intransigence and reach a formula that meets the minimum demands of both parties.
