Egyptian officials have put forward a preliminary, multiphase plan to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza. The proposal, developed in collaboration with Qatar, has been presented to Israel, Hamas, the United States, and European governments, according to reports from the Associated Press and regional news sources.

While none of the involved parties have agreed to proceed with the plan at this stage, its release follows one of the deadliest weekends in Gaza, sparked by an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp that tragically claimed the lives of over 100 Palestinians.

Based on information from Israeli and Egyptian news outlets, the proposed plan encompasses several key phases. Firstly, it calls for a weeklong cease-fire and the release of approximately 40 Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In return, about 120 Palestinians currently incarcerated in Israeli prisons would be freed.

The subsequent phase would involve the repatriation of the remains of both Israeli and Palestinian individuals killed during the conflict. Following this, a third and final stage would establish a permanent cease-fire, along with the exchange of any remaining Israeli hostages for all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention. Additionally, a new governing body would be established to oversee the territories of Gaza and the West Bank, with a focus on facilitating reconstruction and potentially conducting future elections to establish a unified Palestinian government.

Notably, this plan marks a departure from previous efforts led by Qatar, as Egypt has taken the helm in these negotiations. It is worth mentioning that Qatar played a vital role in brokering the initial weeklong cease-fire in November, which saw the release of 105 Israeli hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.

However, the proposal has faced resistance from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both of which rejected the plan's call for surrendering power in Gaza. These factions, however, expressed willingness to pause the fighting, exchange hostages for prisoners, and increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who paid a visit to Israeli troops in Gaza on Monday, conveyed to members of the Likud political party that the war was far from over. The Israeli military reported the deaths of 17 soldiers over the past weekend, bringing the total number of Israeli casualties in the conflict to 156.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed since the war's inception now stands at over 20,400. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the dire situation across the strip, particularly as winter sets in. With millions of people seeking refuge in makeshift camps in the southern region, the need for immediate aid and assistance remains critical.

As the proposed plan awaits agreement from all parties involved, the region continues to hope for a breakthrough that would bring an end to the devastating conflict in Gaza.