Egypt has called for a two-day ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate a potential exchange of hostages and prisoners, with hopes of establishing a longer-term truce, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said on Sunday.
“We proposed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for two days to exchange four hostages (Israeli) for some prisoners (Palestinian), and then negotiations will take place over ten days to turn the ceasefire into a permanent truce,” Al-Sisi announced during a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Cairo.
The Algerian president expressed strong support for Egypt’s initiative, backing Al-Sisi’s bid to stabilise Gaza.
Around 101 Israelis are believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, with fears some may have died due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, according to Israeli estimates. Diplomatic efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to mediate a ceasefire and negotiate a prisoner swap have stalled, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting an end to hostilities.
Israel’s recent invasion of Gaza has persisted since a Hamas attack last year, despite a UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire. Local health authorities report that nearly 43,000 people, primarily women and children, have been killed, with over 100,000 injured. The ongoing blockade has also led to severe food shortages, clean water, and medical supplies.
In addition, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its Gaza actions.