Egypt’s president has said his country has proposed a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during which four hostages held in Gaza would be freed.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, speaking in Cairo, said the proposal also includes the release of some Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Egypt has been a key mediator along with Qatar and the United States.
This is the first time Egypt’s president has publicly proposed such a plan. There has been no immediate response from Israel or Hamas.
Mr el-Sissi said the proposal aims to “move the situation forward”. He said that once the two-day ceasefire goes into effect, negotiations will continue to make it permanent.
There has not been a ceasefire since November’s weeklong pause in fighting and hostage and prisoner exchange.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Mossad chief was travelling to Doha on Sunday for talks with the prime minister of Qatar and the CIA chief.