Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagrees with an Egyptian ceasefire proposal that calls for a 48-hour truce in exchange for the release of four hostages held by Hamas, according to Israeli media.

According to the publication, most government ministers supported the proposal for the hostage agreement. However, Netanyahu’s opposition resulted in it not being put to a vote.

Hamas also said it was not in favor of the deal, saying it would only agree to proposals involving a full ceasefire.

Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt had proposed an initial two-day ceasefire in Gaza to exchange four Israeli Hamas hostages for some Palestinian prisoners.

At the same time, the Egyptian president stated that according to his country’s proposal, the talks should be resumed within 10 days of the implementation of the temporary truce in order to discuss the achievement of a permanent truce.

Speaking at a news conference in Cairo alongside Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Sisi revealed Egypt’s proposal as representatives of Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar are expected to meet in Doha today to resume truce talks.

Crucial negotiations in Doha

David Barnea, the head of the Mossad, is due to meet in Doha with William J. Burns, the director of the CIA and the lead US negotiator in the cease-fire efforts in Gaza. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, is also expected to attend.

In statements issued before the weekend, Netanyahu’s office said Sunday’s meeting was aimed at discussing several initiatives, including one promoted by Egypt, which along with Qatar has acted as an intermediary between Israel and Hamas.

An Israeli official familiar with the discussions said the Egyptian proposal included an initial deal to release some hostages during a brief lull in fighting in Gaza. The proposal, the official said, aims to have a first positive restart after months of deadlock.

A senior Biden administration official said the United States was “ready to lead an effort” to end Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon in the coming days — as well as to “finally achieve a cease-fire in Gaza and the return of the hostages which are kept in the pocket”.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the general framework of those arrangements was in place and that “it was time to resolve these deals once and for all.”