Report: Mediators Set to Propose New Comprehensive Deal to End the War on Gaza

SadaNews - The United States, Qatar, and Egypt, which are mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, are set to present a new proposal this week aimed at reaching a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal that will end the war on Gaza and push towards establishing a governance structure for Gaza, according to Israeli Broadcasting Authority "Kan 11" on Saturday evening. "Kan 11" reported sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that military operations could be halted in favor of a genuine deal, but this has not yet materialized. Meanwhile, the head of the Israeli negotiating team and a Minister of Strategic Affairs close to Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, is scheduled to head to Washington for talks with senior officials in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. The Israeli army and former Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, had attempted to convince the political level to push for a comprehensive agreement that includes the release of all prisoners and allows for "defeating Hamas in Gaza without restrictions"; however, Netanyahu rejected this proposal, viewing it as a "defeat", according to "Kan 11" on Friday. Netanyahu continues to reiterate his statements regarding reaching a comprehensive deal, asserting that "the war could end immediately in accordance with the conditions set by the cabinet; which are: the release of all captives, disarmament of Hamas, disarmament of the sector, Israeli security control over the sector, and the formation of an alternative civilian government that does not pose a threat to Israel". For its part, Hamas issued a statement on Saturday evening, declaring that the movement "reiterates its commitment to the agreement announced with Palestinian factions regarding the mediators' proposal for a ceasefire on the eighteenth of August". It affirmed its openness to "any ideas or proposals that achieve a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the sector, unrestricted entry of aid, and a real prisoner exchange through serious negotiations via the mediators". A high-level leadership delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday for discussions with Egyptian officials involved in the mediation, regarding some points raised by the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steve Hitzkoff, recently. This comes on the heels of statements made by the U.S. president about "very deep negotiations" being conducted by Washington with Hamas for the release of Israeli prisoners from Gaza. Trump stated: "Hamas must release all hostages, and good things will happen," while also threatening, "If Hamas does not release all hostages, the situation will be difficult and harsh; that is my view, and the choice is Israel's."