Palestinians evacuate their homes in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on Oct. 22, 2024. (Credit: Islam Ahmed/AFP)
The new director of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service presented an idea for a “brief” agreement concerning hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza to the head of Israel’s Shin Bet, two Israeli officials told Axios.
Negotiations over a hostage deal and cease-fire have been stalled for nearly two months, with no significant dialogue between the parties. However, U.S. and Israeli officials believe the recent assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar offers an opportunity to resume talks aimed at releasing the 101 hostages still held by Hamas and establishing a cease-fire in Gaza.
Sunday's meeting in Cairo between Egypt’s new intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar was Rashad’s first contact with an Israeli official, according to Axios. It took place less than a week after Rashad assumed office. A source familiar with the meeting said Bar told Rashad that after the assassination of Yahya Sinwar, “there was a window of opportunity to renew negotiations on the hostage and cease-fire deal.” It emphasized that Egypt “has a key role” in the effort.
Israeli officials said Bar presented the Egyptians' idea to Israel’s security cabinet during a Sunday evening meeting after his return from Cairo.
The Egyptians proposed starting with a “small agreement,” which would include the release of a reduced number of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a few days of cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli officials said. Rashad told Bar that the “small agreement” would lead to further negotiations on a broader deal concerning hostages and the cease-fire.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly supported the Egyptian proposal, while ultranationalist ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich opposed it, according to officials cited by Axios. Egyptian officials did not immediately respond to questions about the proposal.
