AFP reported on August 18 (local time) that the Palestinian militant group Hamas has received a new proposal through Egypt and Qatar, which are mediators in the Gaza Strip ceasefire negotiations.
A Palestinian official stated that the new ceasefire proposal serves as "a basic framework for launching negotiations on a permanent ceasefire." The proposal reportedly includes a 60-day suspension of hostilities and the release of hostages in two phases.
This official added that the proposal will be reviewed through internal discussions within the Hamas leadership and consultations with other factions.
A source from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), an armed group affiliated with Hamas, said, "The proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 surviving Israeli hostages, as well as some of the bodies." The source added, "All factions support this." The source further explained that a comprehensive agreement to permanently end the war would be discussed during the ceasefire, and that the remaining hostages could be released in the next phase.
Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's foreign minister, visited the Rafah border crossing-the only route connecting northern Egypt to the southern Gaza Strip-on the same day. He announced that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani is scheduled to visit Egypt soon.
Minister Abdelatty said of the Qatari prime minister's visit, "Both sides will intensify their joint efforts to exert maximum pressure so that an agreement can be reached as soon as possible."
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