According to the reports on Tuesday (22 April), Egyptian and Qatari mediators have proposed a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aiming to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The deal suggests a truce lasting five to seven years, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a large-scale hostage-prisoner exchange. This initiative comes after months of deadlock in negotiations and follows a temporary truce earlier this year that halted fighting and allowed the release of some hostages.
According to a senior Palestinian official, Hamas has shown a willingness to relinquish control of Gaza. The group is prepared to hand over governance to a mutually agreed Palestinian entity, which could include the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority or a new administrative body. This represents a significant shift in Hamas’s position and could pave the way for broader regional support and political restructuring in Gaza.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected key elements of the proposal, particularly any role for the Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza. He reiterated that Israel will not accept a ceasefire on Hamas’s terms and emphasized that the war will continue until Hamas is dismantled and all Israeli hostages are returned. Israel previously offered a six-week truce in exchange for Hamas disarming, a proposal that Hamas rejected.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Israeli air strikes have continued, with Gaza’s civil defence agency reporting seven civilian deaths in recent attacks on multiple towns, including Gaza City and Khan Yunis. As diplomatic efforts continue, the people of Gaza remain caught in a cycle of violence with no immediate relief in sight.
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