Israeli officials are considering an Egyptian proposal for a small-scale cease-fire deal with Hamas in hopes of laying the foundation for a larger agreement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to push for talks to end the escalating conflict following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Israel continues its offensive in northern Gaza, forcing thousands to flee, while also striking parts of southern Lebanon.
The proposed two-week truce in Gaza includes the release of six Israeli hostages in exchange, under the leadership of new Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Mahmoud Rashad. The hope is to kickstart negotiations with a smaller deal after previous attempts at a comprehensive agreement faced challenges. However, the proposal has not been officially approved by Israeli leaders, and it remains unclear if Hamas would be open to such an agreement.
The US is optimistic that Sinwar’s death could open the door for negotiations, but there is uncertainty over who currently leads Hamas and could negotiate on its behalf. The situation is fluid, and updates are expected. Raf Sanchez reported from Tel Aviv, and Chantal Da Silva from London.
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