Palestinian Authority Welcomes Egyptian Government's Proposal for Ceasefire

The Palestinian Authority has welcomed the new Egyptian Government's proposal for a permanent ceasefire, according to Al-Qahera News.

The proposal came just a few days after Egyptian officials held separate talks with two delegations from Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements in Cairo on ceasefire and prisoner-captive swap efforts.

The Hamas delegation was headed by its chief, Ismail Haniyeh, while the Jihad delegation was headed by its secretary-general Ziad Nakhaleh.

Egypt had proposed a phased initiative to bring a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and end the Israeli war, which is now in its 12th week.

The proposal involves an extendable truce and a phased release of civilian Palestinians in Israeli jails in return for Israeli captives still believed to be held in Gaza.