New Ceasefire Proposal Raises Hopes for Lasting Peace in Gaza

A senior official claims the proposed truce could last up to seven years, paving the way for a peaceful resolution amid escalating violence.

A senior Palestinian official involved in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations disclosed to the BBC that a new ceasefire plan has been proposed by Qatari and Egyptian mediators aimed at putting an end to the intense conflict in Gaza. The proposed framework includes a truce that could last between five and seven years, the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a formal conclusion to hostilities, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

A Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo to engage in further discussions regarding the proposal. The past ceasefire agreement fell apart last month with renewed airstrikes from Israel, with both parties attributing the breakdown to the other's actions. While Israel has yet to issue a statement concerning the latest mediation efforts, Hamas is set to be represented by its political council head, Mohammed Darwish, alongside lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.

The current dialogue follows Hamas' rejection of an Israeli proposal that demanded disarmament in exchange for a temporary six-week ceasefire. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that the military campaign would continue until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are returned. In a potential shift, the Palestinian official remarked that Hamas has expressed willingness to transfer governance of Gaza to a mutually agreed Palestinian body, which could include the Palestinian Authority (PA), although Netanyahu has previously dismissed the PA's involvement in Gaza's future governance.

While it remains uncertain if this proposal will lead to a successful peace agreement, the official indicated that this mediation effort is both earnest and that Hamas has demonstrated "unprecedented flexibility" in negotiations. The conflict, which ignited on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and about 51,240 Palestinians, has created an urgent need for a resolution. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has directed its staff to relocate, having been instrumental in coordinating medical evacuations and humanitarian aid into Gaza.