Cairo set to host new round of negotiations on Gaza ceasefire, detainee swap on Thursday

CAIRO – 8 February 2024: Egypt and Qatar will run a new round of negotiations in Cairo on Thursday, aiming to achieve calm and facilitate the exchange of detainees between Israel and Palestine’s Islamist group, Hamas.

According to Al Qahera News, the upcoming talks are a part of intensified Egyptian efforts to halt the deterioration of the humanitarian and field situation in Gaza.

Egypt has called on all parties involved to demonstrate flexibility in order to achieve calm in the strip.

A source cited by Al Qahera News stated that Egypt is making utmost efforts to reach a truce in Gaza, secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza, facilitate the release of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, and put an end to the humanitarian crisis in the strip.

The new round of talks comes a day after Hamas proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan, in response to the Paris meeting framework that included top negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Israel late in January.

If fully approved, the draft document issued by the Palestinian group will last for 4 and a half months and ensure the release of Israeli captives in exchange for a large number of Palestinian detainees.

During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas proposes indirect negotiations with Israel to completely end military operations and restore full calm in Gaza.

In its draft document, Hamas proposes that the first phase of the ceasefire includes the reconstruction of hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli ground forces from residential areas.

This 45-day phase should also involve the release of some non-military Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, along with the delivery of aid.

Hamas suggests that the second phase entails the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for a specified number of Palestinians, as well as the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

According to the Hamas proposal, this final 45-day phase will involve the exchange of remains and bodies.

Hamas’s response comes amid intensified efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to reach a ceasefire deal that would end the Israeli aggression, extending since October 7.

The Israeli aggression over the past 124 days in Gaza has killed 27,708 people and injured 67,147 others, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The Israeli attacks also displaced more than two thirds of the population and put most of the hospitals there out of service.