Hamas Delegation in Cairo as Egypt Presents Comprehensive Plan for Hostage Release and End to War

To break the deadlock in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abed al-Ati confirmed Tuesday night that Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are working together to revive a 60-day plan aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan includes a full hostage release and a temporary ceasefire, and is being presented to Hamas during renewed talks in Cairo.

A Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil Al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday and has already begun consultations with Egyptian mediators. The new Egyptian proposal reportedly outlines a comprehensive deal, aiming to secure the release of all Israeli hostages and a complete cessation of hostilities.

An Arab source involved in the negotiations expressed cautious optimism, saying that if progress continues, Israeli negotiation teams may be invited to Cairo in the coming days. However, Israeli officials are currently denying preparations to send a delegation, suggesting that if necessary, talks may resume in Doha.

Key Elements of the Egyptian Proposal

At a press conference in Cairo, FM Al-Ati stated that the trilateral effort aims to return to the original ceasefire proposal, which includes:

• A 60-day ceasefire

• The release of all hostages and Palestinian prisoners

• The unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza

In a significant political move, Al-Ati also revealed plans for Gaza’s post-war governance, stating that the Palestinian Authority (PA) would supervise a temporary six-month administration led by 15 Palestinian technocrats. He emphasized the PA’s role as part of a transitional arrangement.

Responding to Israeli demands for Hamas to disarm, Al-Ati argued that only the creation of a political horizon—namely, steps toward Palestinian statehood—would guarantee that weapons are controlled solely by state forces.

Condemnation of “Voluntary Emigration” Plan

FM Al-Ati condemned recent Israeli efforts to encourage voluntary emigration of Gazans, saying:

“There is no legal or moral justification for expelling Palestinians from their land... If that happens, they will never return. Israel only wants to give them an exit ticket.”

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Israel is in talks with five countries, including South Sudan, about absorbing displaced Palestinians. Other potential destinations under discussion reportedly include Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia, and an undisclosed African nation.

Despite visits from foreign delegations such as South Sudan's foreign minister, several nations—like Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland—have denied any involvement or rejected related offers, according to AP sources.

Hamas May Consider Disarmament 

An Arab source familiar with the Cairo negotiations said that Hamas agreed to engage after Israel threatened to take control of Gaza City.

“What brought Hamas to Cairo was the Israeli threat,” the source confirmed, adding that both sides had contributed to the failure of previous talks in Doha.

He stated that the current deal on the table is intended to be comprehensive, potentially including symbolic expulsions of Hamas members from Gaza and explicit demilitarization terms.

Although Hamas has historically refused to disarm, the source suggested a shift in tone:

“Hamas really wants the war to end, but it does not believe that Israel won’t return to eliminate it... It is really willing to disarm.”

Palestinian Authority’s Role Back in Focus

The source further emphasized that cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will be critical in Gaza’s “day after” scenario.

“Hamas has already accepted Egypt’s proposal on PA involvement. Despite Israeli opposition, Israel still works with the PA in the West Bank—and that cooperation is effective. It could work in Gaza too.”

He also pointed to a deterioration in Hamas’s military command:

“There is no longer an organized military structure. Local commanders are isolated, and decisions take longer to implement. Hamas agreed to things in Doha that would have been rejected on the ground previously.”

This, he stressed, could be a rare opportunity to rehabilitate Gaza and secure a lasting ceasefire if both sides are willing to compromise.