RIYADH: British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday said that a 40-day ceasefire has been proposed to Palestinian resistance group Hamas, coupled with the potential release of “thousands” of Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for the freedom of Israeli hostages.
Cameron revealed the details of the offer during a World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh. He emphasized the urgency of reaching a truce after nearly seven months of relentless Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
The truce proposal aims to provide a sustained period of ceasefire to halt hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages, offering hope for an end to the protracted violence. A delegation from Hamas is expected to convene in Egypt on Monday to consider the latest ceasefire proposal and discuss the terms for the release of hostages.
Cameron expressed hope that Hamas would accept the deal, urging them to seize the opportunity for peace. “I hope Palestinian group do take this deal and frankly, all the pressure in the world and all the eyes of the world should be on them today saying take that deal,” Cameron said. He said that the proposal would lead to a “stop in the fighting that we all want to see so badly”. He emphasized the importance of international pressure and support for the ceasefire initiative.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to mediate an agreement between Israel and Hamas for months, but a flurry of diplomacy in recent days appeared to suggest a new push towards halting hostilities. Recent diplomatic endeavors have signaled a renewed push towards achieving a cessation of hostilities and restoring stability in the region.
The UK foreign minister said that for a “political horizon for a two-state solution”, with an independent Palestine co-existing with Israel. He stressed the importance of addressing security concerns for Israel while simultaneously working towards a political future for the Palestinian people. “You’ve got to see a political future for the Palestinian people, but you’ve also crucially got to see security for Israel and those two things have to go together,” he added.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said he was “hopeful” about a new proposal for a truce in Gaza as a Hamas delegation was due in Cairo for talks on Monday. “There is a proposal on the table and it is up to the two sides to consider and accept,” the foreign minister said.
Sameh Shoukry said, “The proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides and has tried to extract moderation.” “We are waiting to have a final decision,” he continued, acknowledging the various factors that could influence both side’s decisions.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hopefulness about the prospects of a ceasefire. He declared Israel’s offer for a truce deal as “extraordinarily generous.” Addressing the urgency of the situation, Blinken emphasized the need for swift action from Hamas to bring an end to the ongoing violence.
“In this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas,” Blinken said. He urged Hamas to make the right decision promptly. He highlighted the potential for a significant shift in the dynamic after months of enduring bloodshed. “I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision,” Blinken expressed.
