Israel rejects new prisoner exchange proposal

Israel rejected the proposals presented by the mediators on Sunday night.

A senior Israeli official told the newspaper Israel Hayom that "no responsible government in Israel would accept such a proposal, indicating that Hamas has no real desire to move forward with a deal based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's plan," according to the newspaper.

According to the Israeli source, the plan presented by Hamas includes several demands, including a public handshake between Khalil al-Hayya and envoy Witkoff as an expression of an American guarantee that the war will not resume after the truce ends, the newspaper reported.

According to the mediators, Hamas is prepared to release ten live hostages during a 60-day truce, with five of them to be released on the first day and the remaining five two months later.

In addition, Hamas is demanding a broad withdrawal of Israeli military forces from areas it has seized within the Gaza Strip, and the entry of large quantities of humanitarian supplies.

This announcement comes after Arab media reports that Hamas and Israel have reviewed a paper presented by Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah, in cooperation with US envoy Witkoff, and that a positive US response is expected soon.

A Palestinian leader explained that the document includes a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of 10 living Israeli prisoners in two batches: five on the first day, and five on the seventh day, with the entry of 1,000 aid trucks daily.

The paper also included a commitment to a complete ceasefire during the negotiations period, with a clear American guarantee from President Donald Trump.

The paper also includes negotiations to end the war during the ceasefire period, with Hamas and the other factions pledging not to pose any threat to Israel's security during this period.

This coincided with statements made by President Trump on Monday, in which he said there was "good news coming" regarding the situation in Gaza, noting that efforts were being made to halt the ongoing fighting.

In a statement to reporters, Trump explained: "We have spoken with Israel, and we want to see if we can stop this whole situation as soon as possible."

According to sources within his administration, Trump is pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war and has expressed his displeasure with the ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Sources revealed that the US administration has opened an indirect channel of communication with Hamas via Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, in an attempt to prepare the ground for new negotiations regarding a prisoner exchange and ceasefire.

An Israeli delegation travels to Cairo to formulate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

An Israeli security delegation is arriving in Cairo today, Monday, for talks with officials from the Egyptian General Intelligence Service and other sovereign bodies. The discussions will address consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, coordinating border issues, operating the Rafah crossing, and mechanisms for delivering humanitarian aid, which has been piling up in North Sinai.

Informed sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the delegation includes representatives from the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) and an Israeli military coordinator. Discussions will cover security and technical issues related to the next phase, should a comprehensive ceasefire agreement be reached.

A source familiar with the negotiations revealed to the newspaper that the mediators, led by the United States, are working to formulate a compromise for a ceasefire that would last for at least two months and include gradual measures from both sides. The agreement stipulates that Hamas will hand over a number of living Israeli detainees, along with the bodies of several dead, on the first day of the agreement's entry into force, in exchange for an immediate Israeli withdrawal to the pre-invasion areas after the truce finally collapsed.