According to the report, the new proposal will meet both Israel’s and Hamas’s demands in a “balanced” manner and will aim to establish a long-term truce between the sides that could potentially last between five and seven years.

To ensure a truce between the two parties, the agreement would involve guarantees from regional and international parties to “ensure the fulfillment of mutual obligation,” the report added.

The new proposal was prepared by Egypt in consultation and coordination with Qatar and the current US administration, the sources in the report claimed.

According to the sources, “once a framework agreement is reached, the ground situation will be restored and all military operations will be halted.”

“Humanitarian and relief aid will be introduced according to the international protocol,” the sources continued.

Hamas and Israel’s demands 

The proposal would involve the release of all Israeli hostages held by the terror group in exchange for a mutually agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, the report said.

The report emphasized that the deal would be “contingent on an immediate and complete ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the initiation of the Gaza reconstruction process, and the lifting of the blockade imposed since 2007.”

Israel, in return, would expect Hamas to declare its commitment to a five-year ceasefire and that the terror group would no longer have ruling control of the Gaza Strip, the source cited in the report said.

Israeli delegation to depart for hostage talks 

The report comes as an Israeli delegation is expected to depart in the coming days for talks aimed at advancing a hostage deal, a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday.

Sources informed on the matter told the Post that there has been no change in Hamas’s position regarding the deal.

Hamas has made it clear to mediators from Egypt and Qatar that “we will not agree to a deal that includes a temporary ceasefire.”

Israel has said it will only agree to a deal in which 10-11 hostages will be released for 45 days of ceasefire. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said Israel will not agree to cease the war, as Hamas demands.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report. 

Elad, who, while in the IDF, oversaw the Tyre and Bint Jbeil regions in the security zone, presents a nuanced picture of Lebanon. “This is Lebanon’s moment of truth,” he says.

“For the first time since Hezbollah’s establishment, the organization that seized Lebanon and turned it into a ‘terrorist group with its own state,’ there are ‘Ben-Gurion-like’ attempts to create a regime in Lebanon with one government, one constitution, and one weapon. It won’t be easy, and there are great doubts about whether this will succeed.”

Elad emphasizes that Hezbollah remains a major force in Lebanon. “Despite the severe blow Hezbollah suffered from Israel, the organization is still stronger than several Lebanese armies. Everything depends on it. If Hezbollah wants, it could stage a government coup and reclaim control. If it desires, millions of Shiites will obey it, seeing the organization as their ultimate source of belonging.”

But why isn’t Hezbollah acting now? Elad explains, saying, “Hezbollah isn’t afraid of the Lebanese government, even with the backing of the United States and Europe, which seek to revive Beirut as ‘the Paris of the Middle East.’ It doesn’t regard the new government under President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, or Chief of Staff Joseph Aoun. It simply yields to public opinion, to the common citizen who requested and even begged for a chance for the new government to rebuild the country.”

Elad offers a critical description of Lebanon’s current state: “The Lebanese citizens have forgotten what it means to have running water, continuous electricity, clean streets, or a currency that holds any value. Hezbollah allows the new government to act towards Lebanon’s reconstruction and does not intervene. From time to time, Hezbollah leaders make threats, but when it comes to actual confrontation with the government, or attempts to impose arrangements or even retaliation against Israel following the elimination of senior figures, there is total compliance.”

Additionally, Elad criticizes those who mock Hezbollah’s de facto leader, Naim Qassem: “Some wanted to provoke Naim Qassem, ‘the sweeper,’ Hezbollah’s effective leader, and depict him as a poodle-like lapdog following the orders of his new masters. We shouldn’t be mistaken. When President Aoun demanded that Hezbollah disarm, the organization drew a line and declared: ‘This is enough.'”

Elad adds that Qassem’s explanation was clear, noting, “As long as Israel occupies five strategic points in Lebanon, as long as the Israeli threat remains, and until the territorial issues with Israel are resolved, Hezbollah will hold on to its weapons.”

Lebanese government’s attempt at a compromise with Hezbollah

A compromise was proposed by the Lebanese leadership, including moderate Shiites. “Various leaders, including moderate Shiites, suggested a compromise: Hezbollah would store its weapons in Lebanese Army warehouses and would not have access to these stores as long as the country heads towards a security, economic, and social overhaul.”

But it doesn’t seem that Hezbollah is eager to agree, Elad said. “Hezbollah is not eager to give up its missiles and weapons. If it does, it would be a significant development that could pave the way for other terrorist organizations to seek to transform into political entities, such as Hamas, the Turkish PKK, and other terror groups worldwide.”