Egypt Proposed “Small” Gaza Hostage-Ceasefire Deal, Israeli Officials Say

Washington D.C. – Axios, October 21, 2024

The new director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service presented Israel’s Shin Bet chief an idea for a “small” hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza that could jump-start negotiations on a broader agreement, two Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: The negotiations over a hostage and ceasefire deal have been deadlocked for almost two months and no significant talks have taken place between the parties.

But U.S. and Israeli officials think Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death creates an opportunity to resume negotiations for a deal to release the 101 hostages still held by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

Driving the news: The meeting in Cairo on Sunday between Egypt’s new intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar was Rashad’s first engagement with an Israeli official.

It took place less than a week after Rashad assumed office and against the backdrop of Sinwar’s death.
A source with knowledge of the meeting said Bar told Rashad that after Sinwar’s killing there is a window of opportunity to renew negotiations on the hostage and ceasefire deal and emphasized that Egypt has a key role in this effort.

But U.S. and Israeli officials think Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death creates an opportunity to resume negotiations for a deal to release the 101 hostages still held by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

It took place less than a week after Rashad assumed office and against the backdrop of Sinwar’s death.

A source with knowledge of the meeting said Bar told Rashad that after Sinwar’s killing there is a window of opportunity to renew negotiations on the hostage and ceasefire deal and emphasized that Egypt has a key role in this effort.

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