A new deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire in Gaza is on the table, though no party involved in the negotiations has so far confirmed that the parameters of a fresh agreement are currently being discussed.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States remain involved in negotiations, but after Qatar’s warning last week that it would reassess its role as interlocutor between Israel and Hamas, it appears that Egypt is now taking a more prominent role in the process.
Israeli outlet Ynet reported Thursday that Egypt had unveiled a new proposal on Wednesday. The news came just as the Israeli security cabinet convened in Tel Aviv for a two-hour meeting. Shortly after the cabinet meeting ended, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a picture of the article on X, adding, "This is in fact Israel caving in totally, and a complete victory for Hamas. Existential danger to Israel. This will not happen. Period." Smotrich is currently the only Israeli official to hint that a new deal is currently being negotiated.
What Egypt proposes
