Egypt skeptical on Gaza cease-fire proposal

Key mediator Egypt has expressed skepticism regarding a proposed cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as negotiations are set to resume in Cairo. Egyptian officials indicated that Hamas is unlikely to accept the bridging proposal, citing concerns over whether it would genuinely lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an end to hostilities. The proposal requires Hamas to release vulnerable civilian hostages captured during the October 7 attack, but lacks guarantees for subsequent phases of negotiations. The proposal also does not clearly outline Israel's commitment to withdraw from strategic corridors in Gaza, including the Philadelphi corridor, which is crucial for preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons. An Egyptian official noted that the chances for a breakthrough are slim, as Israel has not agreed to a complete withdrawal in the second phase of the deal. Additionally, Egypt has stated it will not reopen the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid without a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following discussions in Egypt and Qatar, described the bridging proposal as clear regarding the timeline and locations for Israeli military withdrawals. However, details remain vague, and skepticism persists among Israeli officials regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu's commitment to a lasting agreement. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,200 Israelis killed and more than 40,000 Palestinians reported dead since the outbreak of violence.