Hamas announced on May 2 that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further ceasefire discussions, indicating progress in efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. After months of negotiations, mediated by Egypt and the United States, signs of compromise have emerged. The proposed agreement involves a three-stage process, which includes an immediate six-week ceasefire, partial release of Israeli hostages, and negotiations for a “permanent calm,” including an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, the fate of the deal rests on whether Israel will accept an end to the war without achieving its goal of destroying Hamas. UN reports underscore the urgency, stating that even if the war were to end immediately, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the destroyed homes in Gaza, with significant adverse effects on the region’s economy and development.