**New Ceasefire Proposal Emerges in Israel-Hamas Conflict**
A senior Palestinian official has revealed that Qatari and Egyptian mediators are pushing for a new formula to bring an end to the war in Gaza. According to this official, the proposed truce would last between five and seven years, with significant concessions from both sides.
**Key Provisions of the Truce**
The plan calls for the release of all Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons. Additionally, it includes a formal end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This proposal marks a significant shift from previous negotiations, which have often stalled over issues such as prisoner exchanges and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm.
**Hamas Shows Flexibility**
The senior Palestinian official described Hamas’s willingness to hand over governance of Gaza to a new body, either the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority or a newly created administrative body. This flexibility is seen as a crucial development in the negotiations, with some analysts predicting that it could lead to a breakthrough.
**Israeli Response Remains Unclear**
Despite the renewed efforts at mediation, Israel has not commented on the proposal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are returned. The conflicting demands from both sides have made it difficult to predict the chances of success for this latest truce effort.
**Escalating Violence in Gaza**
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant losses on both sides, with 22 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past two days. Medical officials confirmed that dozens of bulldozers and heavy machinery were destroyed, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
**Challenges Ahead**
While the proposed truce marks a promising development, it remains uncertain whether it will be enough to bring an end to the war in Gaza. The negotiations have been marked by repeated breakdowns and failed proposals. Hamas’s willingness to compromise on governance issues could pave the way for a lasting peace, but Israel’s refusal to accept this concession has cast doubt on the proposal’s chances.
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