"Egypt proposes to release minority Israeli hostages, cease-fire for several days"

Egypt's intelligence chief has proposed a "small agreement" to Israel to cease fire only for a few days in Gaza in exchange for the release of a small number of Hamas-held hostages.

U.S. online media Axios reported on the 21st local time that Egypt's national intelligence chief Hassan Rashad made the proposal at a meeting with Ronen Bar, director of the Israeli intelligence agency Sin Bet, in Cairo.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Barr told Rashad at the meeting that there was a window of opportunity to resume ceasefire negotiations with hostages after the death of Sinwar, stressing that Egypt has a key role to play in these efforts.

Israeli officials said the Egyptian side proposed starting with a small agreement to release a small number of Hamas-held hostages in exchange for a few days of ceasefire in Gaza.Rashad

added that such a limited level of agreement could later lead to a more comprehensive resumption of hostage and ceasefire negotiations, the officials said.

Barr returned to Israel and delivered the Egyptian proposal at a security cabinet meeting, with Israeli Defense Minister Joab Galant and other officials agreeing to it, the officials said.

However, far-right ministers such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly opposed it.