Briefly, the plan involves Palestinian Hamas promising to release 40 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.
Many dead in Israeli airstrike
At least 70 people were killed in an Israeli attack in Maghazi in central Gaza on Sunday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Journalists from the AP news agency describe how wounded and dead bodies were left at a nearby hospital after the attack.
The hospitals count at least 68 dead, of which twelve are women and seven are children, AP reports.
– We were all targeted, says Gaza resident Ahmad Turokmani, who lost several family members, including his daughter and granddaughter.
– There is no safe place in Gaza in any case, he continues to AP.
Three houses were bombed in the attack late Sunday and the death toll is expected to rise, according to the spokesman for the Hamas-run health authorities.
The Israeli military has not commented on the deadly attack, but tells the BBC that it is investigating the data.
The Palestinian Red Crescent says intense Israeli airstrikes have led to the closure of main roads between the densely populated areas, hampering the work of ambulances and rescue workers, the BBC reports.