New 60-day Gaza truce proposal presented to Hamas in Cairo

Hamas negotiators have received a new ceasefire proposal in Cairo that includes a 60-day truce and the release of hostages in two batches, a Palestinian official said on Monday.

Describing the deal as a “framework agreement to launch negotiations on a permanent ceasefire,” the official told AFP that Hamas leadership would now consult internally and with other Palestinian factions before responding to the offer, which was submitted by mediators.

A senior Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo last week for discussions with Egyptian officials as part of renewed efforts to halt the war, now in its 23rd month. The talks come amid continued diplomatic pressure from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, who have jointly attempted to broker a long-term ceasefire since a brief truce earlier this year.

During a visit to the Rafah border crossing on Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed the presence of Palestinian and Qatari delegations in Cairo and said efforts were underway to “put an end to the systematic killing and starvation” in Gaza.

Abdelatty recently outlined a proposal involving the release of some hostages and Palestinian detainees, as well as unrestricted humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza during the 60-day truce period.

However, previous negotiations, including those held last month in Doha, ended without any breakthrough, underlining the challenges that remain in reaching a sustainable ceasefire agreement.