Two Israeli officials told Axios on Monday that Israel presented Hamas, through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, with a proposal that includes a cessation of fighting for up to two months, as part of a multi-stage agreement that includes the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza.
More than 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Israeli officials say dozens of hostages were killed on October 7 or in the weeks that followed.
Although the proposal does not include an agreement to end the war, it represents the longest ceasefire period that Israel has offered to Hamas since the beginning of the war, according to the website.
Israeli officials said they were waiting for Hamas’ response, but stressed that they were cautiously optimistic about the ability to make progress in the coming days.
According to the proposal, the deal would include the release of all remaining hostages alive, and the return of the bodies of the dead hostages in stages.
Officials said the first phase would see the release of women and men over the age of 60 and hostages who were in critical medical condition.
The next stages will include the release of female soldiers, non-soldier men under the age of 60, Israeli soldiers, and the bodies of hostages.
Qatari and Egyptian mediators have been trying for weeks to bridge the gaps between the two parties in order to make progress towards reaching an agreement.
Brett McGurk, advisor to President Biden, headed to Egypt on Sunday, and will continue his visit to Qatar after that for talks aimed at making progress in the negotiations to secure the release of the hostages.
US officials told Axios that reaching such an agreement may be the only path that could lead to a ceasefire in Gaza.
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2024-01-22 20:53:00
