Cairo, Egypt — October 28, 2024 — President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has called for a two-day truce in Gaza, aiming to create a pathway for a potential long-term ceasefire. This proposal comes as reports indicate that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in northern Gaza amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
During a news conference in Cairo, el-Sisi outlined a plan that includes the exchange of four Israeli captives held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. He expressed hope that the proposed 48-hour ceasefire would lead to further negotiations within the next ten days aimed at establishing a lasting peace.
Since the beginning of intense fighting following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, thousands of civilians have suffered under relentless Israeli strikes, which have reportedly resulted in at least 50 deaths, including five journalists, since Sunday alone.
El-Sisi did not confirm whether this truce proposal had been formally presented to Israeli or Hamas officials. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have resumed in Doha, involving U.S. and Israeli intelligence leaders, although significant breakthroughs remain elusive.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that “painful concessions” would be essential for any future negotiations, indicating that military actions alone would not fulfill Israel’s objectives in the conflict.
Recent attacks have intensified, with reports of airstrikes in various Gaza neighborhoods resulting in multiple casualties, including attacks on a school housing displaced Palestinians.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep concern for civilians trapped in the conflict, describing their plight as “unbearable.”
