Egypt’s Proposal to End Twelve Weeks of Hostilities

04-01-2024

İrem Çakmak

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Upon Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, sparking twelve weeks of hostilities in the Palestinian territory, the northern half of the coastal exclave has been severely devastated, resulting in the loss of approximately 21,500 Palestinian lives, and displacement of 2.3 million Palestinians, nearly the entire population of Gaza. [1] The Israeli assaults, which had been temporarily halted during the ceasefire declared on November 24, resumed unabatedly on December 4, 2023. [2] 

Egypt, having previously mediated the November ceasefire alongside Qatar that led to a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, proposed a three-phase ceasefire initiative ‘with the aim of ending the shedding of Palestinian blood.’ [3] The first phase consists of a 7-10 days long armistice during which Hamas would release all civilian captives in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners, followed by the second phase, again a week-long ceasefire when Hamas would liberate all female Israeli soldiers in return for additional Palestinian prisoners, and finally, the third phase comprises a month of negotiations, focusing on the release of all military personnel held by Hamas, in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners, with Israel withdrawing to Gaza’s borders. [4] In addition to a truce and exchange of prisoners, the proposal also encompassed a more comprehensive agreement, including a lasting ceasefire and a restructuring of leadership in Gaza, holding elections, and assurance that Hamas members will not be pursued or prosecuted. [5] Head of Egypt's State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, announced that the current draft considered the interest of all parties involved; however, a more comprehensive proposal will be disclosed after all relevant parties respond, and he emphasised that all agreements must adhere to the Palestinian legitimacy as symbolised by the Palestine Liberation Organization. [6]

Egyptian officials recently conducted separate discussions with delegations from both Hamas, led by Ismail Haniyeh, and the Islamic Jihad, led by its Secretary-General Ziad Nakhaleh, focusing on efforts related to a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners. [7] Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad separately declined to make concessions beyond the release of additional hostages taken on October 7, while Islamic Jihad insists on the cessation of Israel’s military offensive as a prerequisite for further negotiations. [8] On the other hand, the proposal was scheduled for discussion by Israel’s war cabinet, despite ongoing military strikes on Gaza during the Christmas holiday, resulting in the death of at least 100 Palestinians within half a day. [9] While there has not been an official statement regarding Egypt’s proposal on the Israeli side, Israel assassinated Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri and Israel’s Mossad intelligence service pledged to pursue and apprehend every member of Hamas implicated in the events of October 7. [10]

Sources and further reading

[1] The Guardian, ‘Hamas leaders attend Egypt talks as Israeli attacks push deeper into Gaza’ (December 29, 2023) <Hamas leaders attend Egypt talks as Israeli attacks push deeper into Gaza> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[2] The Guardian, ‘Israel launches strikes on Gaza as fighting resumes after truce expires’ (December 1, 2023) <Israel launches strikes on Gaza as fighting resumes after truce expires> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[3] The Guardian, ‘Hamas leaders attend Egypt talks as Israeli attacks push deeper into Gaza’ (December 29, 2023) <Hamas leaders attend Egypt talks as Israeli attacks push deeper into Gaza> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[4] Al Jazeera, ‘Egypt sets out ambitious Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan’ (December 25, 2023) <Egypt sets out ambitious Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[5] Reuters, ‘Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Gaza gov. overhaul for permanent ceasefire, Egyptian sources say’ (December 25, 2023) <Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Gaza gov. overhaul for permanent ceasefire, Egyptian sources say> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[6] Ahram Online, ‘Formation of government in Gaza is solely a Palestinian matter: Egypt's SIS head’ (December 29, 2023) <Formation of government in Gaza is solely a Palestinian matter: Egypt's SIS head> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[7] Ahram Online, ‘Negotiation only viable path to end Gaza war; Egyptian role ‘indispensable’: Source’ (January 3, 2024) <Negotiation only viable path to end Gaza war; Egyptian role ‘indispensable’: Source> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[8] Reuters, ‘Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Gaza gov. overhaul for permanent ceasefire, Egyptian sources say’ (December 25, 2023) <Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Gaza gov. overhaul for permanent ceasefire, Egyptian sources say> accessed on January 4, 2024. 

[9] Al Jazeera, ‘Egypt sets out ambitious Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan’ (December 25, 2023) <Egypt sets out ambitious Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan> accessed on January 4, 2024.

[10] AP, ‘Israel’s Mossad chief vows to hunt down Hamas members a day after senior figure killed in strike’ (January 4, 2024) <Israel’s Mossad chief vows to hunt down Hamas members a day after senior figure killed in strike> accessed on January 4, 2024.