Israel Presents New Ceasefire Proposal To Hamas

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel has drafted a new ceasefire/hostage release proposal and presented it to Hamas. Netanyahu's office said: "As part of the talks, with the helpful mediation of Egypt, the mediators formulated an up-to-date proposal to be addressed by Hamas."

• Multi-party talks aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the return of hostages held in Gaza resumed in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday after collapsing last week.
• NYTs noted yesterday: "American officials say that they are also hoping the warring sides reach an agreement soon, and that any temporary cease-fire reached to allow the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners might be extended into a longer-lasting peace."
• The prospect of a positive outcome may be boosted by confirmation that Israel has agreed to reschedule an in-person meeting - likely to take place next week - with US security officials to discuss alternative proposals to an IDF ground operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
• According to a joint US-Israeli statement, following a virtual meeting: “The two sides over the course of two hours had a constructive engagement on Rafah. They agreed that they share the objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah. The U.S. side expressed its concerns with various courses of action in Rafah. The Israeli side agreed to take these concerns into account and to have follow up discussions between experts..."