Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced today a proposal for a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, which includes a plan for the potential release of hostages that could pave the way for a “complete ceasefire.”

In a joint press conference in Cairo with visiting Algerian President, Sisi highlighted that the Egyptian government has been actively involved in efforts to mediate an end to the Gaza conflict. The proposal entails a temporary halt to hostilities, allowing for the “exchange of four hostages for some prisoners currently in Israeli jails,” with negotiations aimed at ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip within the next ten days.

The conflict intensified after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza. International mediators had previously secured a week-long ceasefire in November, but subsequent diplomatic efforts have failed to yield further agreements.

Among the 251 hostages taken by Palestinian militants on October 7, 97 remain imprisoned in Gaza, according to the Israeli military, with 34 confirmed deceased.

Earlier this month, Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whom Israeli, U.S. officials, and some analysts view as a significant impediment to achieving a ceasefire.

Sisi emphasized that “our brothers in the Gaza Strip are facing an extremely dire siege,” pushing them “to the brink of famine,” and underscored the urgent need for humanitarian aid to alleviate the critical humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

According to AFP, Israeli officials report that Hamas attacks have resulted in 1,206 Israeli deaths, primarily among civilians. Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza, governed by Hamas, reported that Israeli military actions have led to at least 42,924 deaths, the majority being civilians, a figure the United Nations considers credible.