A Hamas delegation led by Muhammad Darwish has left Cairo after presenting a proposal for ending the Gaza war, which includes a comprehensive ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, a prisoner exchange, and reconstruction efforts. The Egyptian-Qatari framework requires Hamas to relinquish political control over Gaza in exchange for a truce, but challenges remain, especially regarding disarmament. While humanitarian conditions in Gaza are dire, with over 51,495 Palestinians reported killed since October 7, 2023, both Hamas and Israel appear to have strategic reasons to prolong the conflict.
