Egypt has received a new ceasefire proposal from Israel aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The proposal was shared through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, but immediate progress remains uncertain as Hamas officials voiced strong objections to key terms outlined in the plan.
According to Egyptian state-affiliated Al-Qahera News, the proposal was handed over to Hamas representatives during ongoing negotiations in Cairo. A central point of contention is Israel's call for Hamas to disarm in a future phase of the ceasefire process. Hamas rejected this outright, with senior official Sami Abu Zuhri declaring that surrendering the group's weapons was not up for discussion and constituted "a million red lines."
Hamas has reiterated its longstanding demands, stating that any agreement must ensure a permanent end to hostilities and a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The group has indicated it is reviewing the proposal and will issue a response soon, but has remained firm that only a full cessation of the war and an Israeli pullout would be acceptable terms.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Following a renewed Israeli offensive in March, over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed, and thousands more displaced. Recent airstrikes have intensified fears, including an attack on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza on April 13, which disabled the emergency department and damaged nearby buildings. Although no casualties were reported due to prior evacuation orders, Hamas condemned the strike and denied Israeli allegations that the hospital was being used for military purposes.
The question of hostages remains a major sticking point in negotiations. Hamas is currently holding 59 Israeli hostages, with 24 believed to be alive. The group has offered to release all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal. However, Israel continues to insist on more stringent conditions, including the disarmament of militant groups in Gaza.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Egyptian and Palestinian sources reported that the latest round of Cairo talks concluded without a breakthrough. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, alongside the United States, continue to push for a solution that can halt the violence and ease the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process, underscoring the urgency of ending the conflict and restoring stability in Gaza.
While a ceasefire remains a shared goal among regional and international actors, deep divisions between the parties on fundamental issues continue to hinder progress. The coming days are expected to be critical as Hamas formulates its formal response to the latest Israeli offer.