A senior official from the Palestinian group known as the ASD revealed to AFP on Sunday that they are set to respond to Israel’s latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The ASD delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, is scheduled to arrive in Egypt on Monday to deliver their response during a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials.
This development comes as Egypt, acting as a mediator, dispatched its own delegation to Israel earlier this week in an effort to reignite stalled negotiations amidst ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Despite previous unsuccessful attempts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to broker a new Gaza truce deal, diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent days.
These efforts stem from the aftermath of a one-week halt to the fighting in November, which saw the exchange of 80 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
In a notable shift, Israel has reportedly shown a willingness to discuss the “restoration of sustainable calm” in Gaza following the release of hostages, marking the first time Israeli leaders have hinted at the possibility of ending the war.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the ASD is receptive to discussing the new proposal positively, expressing a desire to reach an agreement that guarantees a permanent ceasefire, the return of displaced individuals, a satisfactory prisoner exchange, and an end to the Gaza siege.
The delegation is also expected to engage with an Egyptian proposal addressing a ceasefire and prisoner exchange as part of a comprehensive deal to halt the fighting in Gaza.
The Egyptian proposal, which has shown some progress, includes measures to ensure the safety and security of civilians returning to their homes in Gaza.
This involves guaranteeing the absence of Israeli forces on key roads such as Al-Rashid road, as well as maintaining a distance of 500 meters from the main Salaheddin highway to prevent civilian harm.
Additionally, the proposal aims to safeguard civilians from shooting, arrest, or detention upon their return. Reports from Al-Qahera News, affiliated with Egyptian intelligence services, indicate “noticeable progress” in aligning the views of Egyptian and Israeli delegations, suggesting a potential breakthrough in the negotiations.
