Reuters, JERUSALEM/CAIRO, August 19 While one source reaffirmed that the release of all Israeli captives is necessary for the war to end, two Israeli officials said Tuesday that Israel is examining Hamas' reaction to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half the hostages currently detained in Gaza.
After Israel revealed plans for a new offensive to take control of Gaza City, which is located in the center of the Palestinian territory, efforts to halt the war received fresh impetus over the past week.
Proposals to reopen indirect negotiations between the parties on a ceasefire plan supported by the United States have been pushed by mediators Egypt and Qatar.
According to a Hamas spokesman, the plans call for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners who are now detained in Israel as well as an unknown number of women and children who are also detained, in exchange for 10 live and 18 dead hostages from Gaza.
The information was verified by two Egyptian security sources, who also mentioned that Hamas had asked for the release of hundreds of other captives from Gaza.
According to Israel, there are still 50 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive.
"Israel's strategy has been constant. Israel insists that all 50 captives be released in line with the cabinet's predetermined guidelines for bringing the war to a close. An Israeli political insider stated, "We are in the last decisive stage of Hamas and will not abandon any hostages."
Despite its adamance, the comment did not explicitly reject the proposal that was being discussed.
According to the two Israeli sources, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to have a meeting shortly to examine the ceasefire proposal. According to a Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations, a response was anticipated within the next two days.
Netanyahu had ruled out any agreement that would not include the return of all the hostages until Hamas reacted to the proposal on Monday.
Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the 60-day truce agreement will contain "a pathway to a comprehensive agreement to end the war."
The plan calls for the gradual evacuation of Israeli forces, which now hold 75% of Gaza, as well as the increased flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, where 2.2 million people are at risk of starvation.
Negotiations broke down over some of the details, but Israel had previously accepted the idea put forth by U.S. special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. In late July, the most recent round of negotiations came to a standstill.
Israel Katz, the defense minister, met with commanders late Tuesday while the political leadership of Israel considered a possible reaction. Itay Blumental, the military correspondent for public broadcaster Kan, stated on X that the purpose of the meeting was to authorize plans to take over Gaza City.
Building humanitarian infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, evacuating Gaza City, encircling Gaza City, and maneuvering into Gaza City are the four phases of the strategies mentioned in the post.
It is claimed that thousands of civilians have evacuated the area in recent days for locations to the west and south in the broken territory, fearing an impending Israeli ground operation.
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