Egypt's new plan could free 6 Gaza hostages: Here's what to know

Egypt has proposed a two-week extension of the current phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, during which Hamas would release six hostages - three living and three deceased - according to Qatari media reports on Sunday.

Israeli journalist Amit Segal reported that an Israeli negotiating team is expected to discuss the Egyptian proposal in the coming hours. According to the reports, the Israeli delegation may travel to Cairo for these discussions.

This development comes after Hamas reportedly rejected an earlier Israeli offer to extend the ceasefire by one week in exchange for the release of 15 hostages - five living and ten deceased. The militant group informed mediators they view the Israeli proposals as violations of the existing agreement, according to Al Jazeera.

Hamas also dismissed a separate proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. That proposal would have seen half of the hostages - both living and dead - returned to Israel on the first day of the agreement, with the remainder to follow at the end of the period if a permanent ceasefire agreement could be reached.

Israel had requested Hamas's response to its proposal by midnight Friday, as reported by journalist Roi Kais. The Israeli offer included the release of Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Following Hamas's rejection, Israel suspended humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza on Sunday morning, though it has not yet officially announced a return to military operations.

MK Hanoch Milwidsky told Eli Tzipori and Stella Korin-Liber on Galei Israel radio that Israel is demanding "at least half of the living hostages as a first stage for continuing the ceasefire," adding that he hopes "a way will be found to achieve this." However, Milwidsky expressed pessimism about the prospects, stating, "In my assessment, within days we will be in a completely different situation - a very intense military operation in Gaza that we haven't seen yet."