The Israeli bargain moved from not carrying out an attack on Rafah in exchange for launching a military strike against Iran, to a trade-off of liberating Israeli prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip in exchange for postponing the invasion of the city of Rafah, located in the south of the Gaza Strip, while emphasizing that it is determined to launch the attack on Rafah to eliminate four battalions affiliated with the Hamas movement.

In this context, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth confirmed that an Egyptian intelligence delegation will arrive in Tel Aviv today, Friday, after the Israeli negotiating team received a green light to show more flexibility in the Israeli position regarding the proposed new deal.

The newspaper, which relied on political and security forums in the entity, indicated that the Egyptian delegation will meet with senior officials in the National Security Council, following a visit made by Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy two days ago to Cairo, and they discussed the issue of resuming contacts to reach an agreement. 

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel presented a new proposal that includes a one-year ceasefire, the release of Israeli prisoners, and steps taken to advance the issue of establishing a Palestinian state.

In the same context, the newspaper stressed that “the War Council agreed to authorize the negotiating team to hold talks with the Egyptian delegation, out of a genuine desire to reach an agreement.”

She pointed out that “Israel considers the Rafah operation to be of great importance, because it may put pressure on the Hamas movement, while its leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, is consolidating his positions and demanding an end to the war as a condition for the deal.”

In the details of the proposed deal, the Hebrew newspaper reported that the Israeli Cabinet discussed the release of 33 Israeli women, the elderly, the sick, the wounded, and the mentally disabled, but the duration of the ceasefire will be determined based on the number of prisoners.

She pointed out that Tel Aviv is demanding that the extent of the calm that Hamas will obtain through the deal be less than six weeks, adding that “Israel will show greater flexibility regarding the issue of the army’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including the Netzarim Corridor.”

Moreover, she pointed out that “the Israeli War Council proposed several alternatives to the plan to release the prisoners, and is looking for ways to transform the smaller deal into something that would initiate a larger step,” noting that the talks will take place at working levels between the Egyptian delegation and representatives of the Mossad, the Israeli army, and the Shin Bet. 

The newspaper confirmed that “Israel is very serious about its intention to enter Rafah, but if there is a real proposal, it will be ready to examine the process, but it will not give up on ending the war.”

She continued: “The Cabinet discussed the need for a strong military arm to put pressure on Hamas, and this is consistent with the planned operation in Rafah. Such a measure raises great concern in Egypt, which is now working harder to prevent a military operation in the city adjacent to it, and at a time when “It is the same as resuming contacts to reach an agreement.”

According to the Hebrew newspaper, “the weight is now shifting to Egypt, after Qatar did not fulfill its promises to Israel and did not exert pressure on Hamas.”

The newspaper quoted a senior Israeli official as saying, “There is no contradiction between a military operation in Rafah and the prisoner return deal. The closer we are to Rafah, the more Egyptian intervention naturally increases.”

He added: “There is hope that the Egyptian path will develop in positive directions, and we must try in every way, considering that Egypt has been an essential part of mediation for a long time, and now they have great motivations; Because they want to reach an agreement, and we must maintain optimism, especially when the Rafah crane is raised and approaching.”

The newspaper indicated that the Egyptian proposal includes three interconnected clauses. The first relates to an Israeli pledge to stop preparations for the Rafah operation, while the second is to release all Israeli prisoners in two stages, with a time interval of 10 weeks.

She pointed out that Egypt did not specify the number of Israeli prisoners, and it appears that their number is unknown to Cairo, but its proposal clarifies the release of all prisoners in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

It continued: “The third item relates to a complete ceasefire for one year, with Hamas and Israel committing not to fire or use weapons on the ground or in the air. During the ceasefire, the start of implementing movements to establish a Palestinian state will be announced, and this announcement will have sponsors such as the United States, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority.”

The Hebrew newspaper explained that the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, also explained that the prisoner exchange deal could take place in three stages according to the “Paris Initiative,” or in two stages according to the “Egyptian proposal.”

The newspaper stressed that Hamas requires the plan to be implemented by declaring a complete ceasefire from both sides for a full year, and conveyed this condition to Egypt along with its demand to obtain an American and international guarantee that Israel will implement the terms of the Egyptian plan.

Under the new proposal: “Hamas demands the release of 50 prisoners for every kidnapped soldier, and 30 prisoners for every kidnapped civilian,” according to the Hebrew newspaper.

In conclusion, the Hebrew newspaper claimed that the intensified Egyptian move to conclude an exchange deal between Israel and the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip stems from Egyptian fear of the influx of Palestinian refugees into Egyptian territory following the occupation’s invasion of the city of Rafah, according to what the newspaper reported from its sources in Tel Aviv.