Israel has put forward a ceasefire agreement to Hamas, which would last one week in the Gaza Strip, as part of a new deal aimed at the release of more than 30 hostages held by the Palestinian militia in the enclave, Al-Arabiya reported citing Axios.
Axios reported, citing Israeli officials, that the proposal was made through Qatari mediators and is the first such offer since the collapse of the deal last month that resulted in a seven-day cessation of violence and the release of over 100 hostages.
On Tuesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Israel is prepared for a second humanitarian pause in the fighting with Hamas in exchange for the release of more hostages held in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported.
“Israeli officials say the proposal shows Israel is determined to relaunch serious negotiations for the release of more hostages, even as Hamas has said it will not resume negotiations as long as the fighting continues,” Axios said.
The report details a meeting in Warsaw between CIA director Bill Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and David Barnea, the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, to discuss a potential deal.
The Israeli proposal includes: the release of the remaining women Hamas is holding, men over the age of 60, and other hostages who are sick or seriously wounded and in need of urgent medical care.
“As part of the proposal, Israel said it would agree for a temporary ceasefire of at least one-week, Israeli officials say…. Israel also suggested it might release Palestinian prisoners who were convicted of more serious attacks on Israel than those who were released in the previ-ous deal. Israeli officials say there are dozens of such Palestinian prisoners who are old or sick, and who could be released as part of a humanitarian deal,” Axios reported.
During the Warsaw meeting, the Qatari prime minister conveyed Hamas’ position that Israel had to stop its attacks before any hostage negotiations could begin.
To which Barnea replied: “If Hamas wants the war to stop it needs to lay down its arms and turn in its leaders in Gaza who were responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel that ignited the war.”
