The so-called war cabinet in Israel will today discuss an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire, writes The Jerusalem Post.
Briefly, the plan involves Palestinian Hamas promising to release 40 people from their hostages in the Gaza Strip, while Israel lays down its weapons for two weeks and promises to release 120 Palestinian “security prisoners” from Israeli prisons.
That is the first step. If it goes well, Egypt then has two more steps prepared. They begin with negotiations with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to lead an emergency government in the Gaza Strip. In the final step, which is expected only after a long-term ceasefire, Hamas would release additional hostages and Israel would withdraw militarily from Gaza completely.
A group of leaders from Islamic Jihad, another militant organization allied with Hamas in Gaza, is reported to be in Egypt to discuss the plan.
Israel is also interested, although according to The Jerusalem Post the government signals that the proposals must be adjusted to be finally accepted.