Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has suggested a two-day ceasefire in Gaza, accompanied by a limited exchange of hostages, in an effort to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This proposal, which involves swapping four Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, would be followed by further negotiations within ten days, according to Sisi's statement at a Cairo news conference. It remains unclear whether this plan has been formally communicated to either Israel or Hamas.

Sisi's proposal comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories, concurrent with their conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and recent air strikes against Iran. These strikes, which were in retaliation for Iranian ballistic missile attacks, have prompted international calls for restraint. The UN Security Council is set to convene at Iran's request to discuss these strikes, which resulted in the deaths of four soldiers.

Domestically, Iranian leaders have downplayed the significance of the attacks, claiming minimal damage. President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran does not seek war but will respond appropriately. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran had received indications of the attack hours beforehand. Axios reported that Israel had issued a warning to prevent wider escalation.

Israel's strikes were in response to an October 1 missile attack by Iran, which retaliated for the killing of Tehran-aligned militant leaders and an Iranian commander. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as precise and powerful, achieving all objectives. However, public and diplomatic pressure continues to mount on Netanyahu to secure the release of remaining captives held in Gaza.

Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been mediating indirect talks for months with little success. Israeli spy chief David Barnea is scheduled to visit Qatar for talks aimed at reviving negotiations for a hostage deal. Families of the hostages have urged the Israeli government to broker an agreement following the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whom some Israeli and US officials and analysts consider a key obstacle to a deal.

Key issues preventing a breakthrough in negotiations include Hamas's insistence on Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, which Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged that painful concessions would be necessary in negotiations, emphasizing that military action alone would not achieve the country's war aims.

Of the 251 hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military claims are dead. Over 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Amidst this charged environment, a truck crashed into a crowd near a central Israel intelligence complex, resulting in one death and over two dozen injuries.

Israel continues to engage in combat in Gaza and Lebanon, with strikes hitting Beirut and multiple southern cities. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 21 deaths from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, including nine near Sidon and seven in the village of Ain Baal. The war has claimed at least 1,615 lives in Lebanon since September 23, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

The Israeli military reported killing 70 Hezbollah fighters while losing five of its own soldiers, bringing the total troop deaths to 37 since ground operations began in Lebanon last month. Heavy bombing continues in Gaza, with the Israeli military claiming to have killed another 40 militants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern for Gaza's civilian population, particularly those trapped in the northern part of the territory. Resident Bilal al-Hajri described the dire conditions under siege and famine, stating that no one can leave their homes for food and water without being targeted.

Sisi warned of impending famine and emphasized the urgency of aid delivery. In the ongoing assault, Gaza's civil defense agency reported that an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians resulted in at least nine deaths. The Israeli military is investigating this report.

Israel launched its brutal attacks in Gaza a year ago in response to Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians. The ongoing war has involved Iran-backed groups across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

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