Egyptian officials have put forth a new proposal on Monday, aimed at reviving the stalled Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Under the plan, Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian aid into Gaza and agreeing to a suspension of hostilities. Israel would also free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas spokesperson responded positively to the proposal but offered no further details.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has further intensified its operations in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire in place since January 19.
Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that the army would “seize more ground” in Gaza, threatening to annex parts of the territory unless Hamas released the remaining hostages.
The Israel Defence Forces have already retaken the Netzarim corridor that cuts across the Gaza Strip. They have also advanced on Beit Lahiya and Rafah and enforced a blockade on northern Gaza.
Katz also warned about expanded buffer zones and “permanent Israeli occupation,” along with intensified aerial, naval and ground assault. Speaking to journalists, he reminded Hamas about the controversial proposal by US President Donald Trump to transform Gaza into a resort after expelling the Palestinians living there.
In contrast, Jordan has proposed exiling 3,000 Hamas members, including military and civilian leaders, from Gaza to end the conflict. This plan, shared with American and Palestinian sources, includes disarming Hamas and other factions on a set timeline, paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to govern the territory.
The war’s toll continues to mount, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 50,000 Palestinian deaths as of Sunday. The report noted that most casualties were women and children, although it does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Thousands more are believed trapped under rubble.
Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, blamed Hamas for the renewed violence, accusing the group of rejecting a bridging proposal that could have secured a 40- or 50-day ceasefire. Despite this, he signalled a willingness to start talks with Hamas to halt the bloodshed, even as he reaffirmed American support for Israel.
Putting Hamas further on the back foot, the Fatah movement, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, asked Hamas to give up power in Gaza to “safeguard the existence of Palestinians”. Fatah spokesperson Monther al-Hayek asked Hamas to “step aside from governance and fully recognise that the battle ahead will lead to the end of Palestinian existence”.
