Palestinians inspect damage after an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 27, 2024, in the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Credit: AFP or copyright holders)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, whose country is one of the mediators between Hamas and Israel, has offered to start negotiations “within 10 days” for a “complete cease-fire and the entry of humanitarian aid” into the Gaza Strip, which is in the grip of a humanitarian disaster, after proposing “a two-day cease-fire” on Sunday, during which “four hostages would be exchanged for prisoners” held by Israel, according to AFP.
The Egyptian president did not say whether he had presented his plan to Hamas and Israel.
According to Israeli media reports, Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, who arrived in Qatar on Sunday for further negotiations with CIA chief Bill Burns and Qatari mediators on a cease-fire in the Palestinian territory, is expected to remain in Doha, pending further talks “in the coming days.”
On Monday, Israel continued its deadly strikes in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, where it is fighting Hezbollah and Hamas.
In a Middle East threatened by conflagration, the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Iran's ideological army, General Hossein Salami, raised his voice against Israel, threatening it with “unimaginably bitter consequences,” following its strikes on Saturday against military targets in Iranian territory. Similarly, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai promised a “firm response” to Israel, its sworn enemy. “We are using all available means to respond firmly and effectively to the Zionist regime's aggression,” he announced.
