Israel considering Egyptian plan for 2-week cease-fire with Hamas, source says
Israeli officials are weighing an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire deal with Hamas aimed at trying to build momentum for a larger agreement, an Israeli official told NBC News as Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East
TEL AVIV — Israeli officials are weighing an Egyptian proposal for a small-scale cease-fire with Hamas aimed at building momentum for a larger deal, an Israeli official told NBC News, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel for a renewed diplomatic push.
Israel’s security cabinet has discussed the Egyptian proposal for a two-week truce in Gaza, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Egyptian proposal calls for the release of just six Israeli hostages in exchange, the official said. It was suggested by Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the new head of Egyptian intelligence, who took up his post last week.
The proposal was first reported by Axios.
Blinken arrived in Israel early Tuesday as part of a Middle East tour aimed at renewing talks for a comprehensive deal to end the intensifying regional conflict after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
It comes as Israel continues to mount a deadly offensive in northern Gaza, where thousands of people have fled intense Israeli operations in areas like the Jabalia refugee camp in recent days. Israeli forces also continued their invasion of southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah on Tuesday while striking parts of the country's capital, Beirut, in an assault that sparked the evacuation of a local hospital.
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