Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced a proposal for a two-day truce between Israel and the Palestinian fighter group Hamas that would include a hostage release and could pave the way for a “complete ceasefire”.

Sisi, whose government has been involved in mediation efforts to end the Gaza bombardment, proposed a “two-day ceasefire” during which “four hostages would be exchanged for some prisoners in Israeli jails”, followed by more negotiations within 10 days aiming to secure “a complete ceasefire and the entry of aid” into the Gaza Strip, the president told a news conference in Cairo alongside his visiting Algerian counterpart.

Speaking in Cairo, Sisi said that “our brothers in the (Gaza) Strip face a very harsh siege” that has put them “on the brink of famine”.

“It is very important that aid enters as soon as possible” to alleviate the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza, Sisi added.