Egypt Ceasefire Proposal For Gaza Emerges as IDF Recovers Slain Hostage

Latest Developments

• Egypt Offers Up Hostage Deal Proposal: Egypt is understood to have proposed a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza that would see the potential release of “the largest number” of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the coastal enclave to date, several Arab media outlets reported on December 5. More than a year has passed since the last major hostage exchange in November 2023, which saw 78 of the more than 250 hostages seized during the October 7 atrocities regain their freedom; currently, 100 still remain in Gaza.

• IDF Returns Body of Itay Svirsky to Israel as Hamas Threatens to Murder Remaining Hostages: News of the apparent Egyptian offer surfaced as the body of Itay Svirsky, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas onslaught, was recovered in Gaza and returned to Israel. In a December 4 statement, Hamas claimed to have received intelligence concerning a planned IDF rescue operation, warning that it would “neutralize” — its term for execution — the captives in the event of such an attempt.

• Gaza Ceasefire Would Use Lebanon as a Model: The Egyptian proposal is said to be based on the recent ceasefire agreed in Lebanon, involving a cessation of hostilities for approximately two months and the strategic redeployment of the IDF, rather than its full withdrawal. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Qatar and Israel during the past week in an effort to reach a ceasefire deal before Trump takes office on January 20. Witkoff’s visit potentially signals the restoration of Qatar’s ostensible role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas after the emirate pulled out of negotiations in November, claiming that neither party had shown a willingness to compromise. 

FDD Expert Response

“Another round of ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel is encouraging. But Hamas must accept the new reality that Israel will not allow the Islamist group and its allies to return to the pre-October 7 status quo in Gaza. Conversely, Israel may be compelled to release Palestinian prisoners who have committed serious acts of terrorism in exchange for hostages held in Gaza. Significant decisions lie ahead, and whether both sides can overcome them remains a question.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“While Egypt’s continued negotiation efforts have been unfruitful, this deal may reflect a change in tune, particularly as the IDF would apparently not be required to withdraw from Gaza immediately but in stages. The Egyptians are likely to be sensing additional pressure given President-elect Trump’s statement that there will be “all hell to pay” if the hostages are not released by the time he is inaugurated. Yet the key question remains: Will Hamas cooperate?” — Mariam Wahba, Research Analyst

“The latest IDF mission to return home the body of Itay Svirsky demonstrates the continued peril of the remaining hostages — and the brutality of Hamas. Hamas should receive no major concessions in negotiations, least of all an immediate IDF withdrawal from Gaza, which will undoubtedly lead to the group’s resurgence and prolong the war.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘All Hell to Pay’: President-elect Trump Issues Strident Demand to Release Hostages in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Rivals Hamas and Fatah Near Agreement For Post-War Gaza Governance,” FDD Flash Brief

“The IDF is in Jabalia again, but this time there is nowhere for Hamas to run,” by Enia Krivine and Aaron Goren

“Hamas is not invincible,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht