Posted on 03/24/25
| News Source: JPost
Egypt has threatened to expel recently released Hamas prisoners from its territory if the terrorist organization fails to show flexibility and agree to a revised hostage deal that would extend the current ceasefire in Gaza, a senior Israeli official said.
The prisoners in question were freed as part of the last hostage exchange and are temporarily residing in Egypt, as no other country has agreed to receive them.
The reported threat is part of mounting pressure exerted by top Egyptian intelligence officials on Hamas to accept an updated deal that could lead to the release of more hostages and a prolonged truce.
According to the Israeli official, the Egyptian pressure follows sharp messages conveyed by US White House envoy Steve Witkoff to Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Hassan Rasahd. Witkoff reportedly expressed Washington's disappointment that, despite earlier assurances, Egypt has thus far failed to persuade Hamas to release additional hostages, including Israeli-American dual national Idan Alexander.
The official added that Egypt has not yet formally presented the updated proposal to Israel, as discussions between Egyptian mediators and Hamas are ongoing.
The proposal is said to closely resemble the one previously presented by Witkoff during talks in Doha two weeks ago. It includes the release of five living hostages - among them Alexander - in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire and the release of Palestinian security prisoners.
Like the earlier US proposal, the Egyptian plan was reportedly calls for the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the reopening of the Netzarim corridor for Palestinian movement, and the withdrawal of IDF ground forces that have been operating in the Strip since the resumption of hostilities.
A new component in the Egyptian proposal would include initial discussions on a long-term ceasefire and the framework for a second phase of the agreement. However, a final and detailed outline for this component has yet to be formulated.
"The Egyptians took all the pressure they received from the US and passed it on to Hamas - and it may have made an impacts, the senior Israeli official said.
A source familiar with the negotiations said senior Hamas leadership is expected to convene in the coming days to discuss the updated proposal and determine how to respond.