Israel has presented a proposal to Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, suggesting a potential two-month pause in the fighting as part of a multi-phase deal.
The proposal aims to include the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Although the proposal does not entail an agreement to end the war, it represents the longest ceasefire period offered by Israel to Hamas since the conflict began.
Currently, over 130 hostages are still held in Gaza, with Israeli officials reporting that several dozen hostages either died on October 7 or in the subsequent weeks.
The Israeli war cabinet approved the parameters of this new proposal ten days ago, which differ from past rejected deals by Hamas and are more forward-leaning.
Israel is now awaiting a response from Hamas and expresses cautious optimism about the potential for progress in the coming days, Axios reported.
As per the proposal, the deal would unfold in multiple phases, with the release of all remaining hostages who are alive and the return of bodies of deceased hostages.
The initial phase involves the release of women, men over the age of 60, and hostages in critical medical condition.
Subsequent phases would include the release of female soldiers, men under the age of 60 who are not soldiers, Israeli male soldiers, and the bodies of hostages.
The overall pause period for completing the release in different phases could extend up to two months.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 