Egypt proposes three-phase plan to end war between Israel and Hamas

Egypt proposed this Sunday (24) a plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas, according to several media reports, but it is unclear how it will be received by the conflicting parties.

Israel's war cabinet met on Monday and, among other issues, was expected to discuss ongoing efforts to secure the release of the hostages, an Israeli official told CNN . The source declined to recognize the Egyptian proposal in three phases.

Egypt's three-phase deal “would guarantee the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,” reports political and foreign policy analyst at CNN , Barak Ravid, citing two Israeli sources. The report has not yet independently obtained a copy of the plan.

The phases

In the first phase, Israel is expected to halt its military operations for one to two weeks so that Hamas can release 40 hostages, including women and elderly people.

The second phase includes an agreement to exchange the bodies of Hamas militants held by Israel for the bodies of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

The third phase of the plan “includes an 'all for all' deal,” meaning that Israel would return the six thousand Palestinian prisoners in its prisons in exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages – including soldiers – held captive by Hamas. This also includes the end of the war, with Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and “the establishment of a technocratic government in Gaza that will not be affiliated with Hamas and that will attract the support of the United States, Egypt and Qatar,” reports Ravid.

Last week, Hamas said Palestinian factions would not agree to any negotiations on prisoner exchanges until Israel ended the military operation in Gaza.

The three-phase plan is also described by Israeli and international media outlets, citing several officials and diplomatic sources.

A CNN contacted Egyptian officials for comment on the plan.