Israel is studying Hamas’ response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal for a 60-day truce and the release of half the captives still held in the enclave, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.
Efforts to pause the fighting gained new momentum over the past week after Israel announced plans for a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City at the heart of the enclave.
Mediators Egypt and Qatar have been pushing to restart indirect talks between the sides on a US-backed ceasefire plan.
The proposal includes the release of 200 Palestinian convicts jailed in Israel and an unspecified number of imprisoned women and minors, in return for 10 living and 18 deceased captives from Gaza, according to a Hamas official.
Two Egyptian security sources confirmed the details, and added that Hamas has requested the release of hundreds of Gaza detainees as well.
Israel says a total of 50 captives remain in Gaza, 20 of them still alive.
“Israel’s policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 captives in accordance with the principles established by the cabinet for ending the war. We are in the final decisive stage of Hamas and will not leave any captive behind,” an Israeli political source said.
The comment, while adamant, fell short of an outright rejection of the proposal on the table.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene discussions about the ceasefire proposal soon, the two Israeli officials said. A response was expected in the coming two days, said a Palestinian source close to the talks.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed al Ansari said the 60-day truce deal would include “a pathway to a comprehensive agreement to end the war.”
The proposal includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, which presently control 75 per cent of Gaza and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the enclave, where a population of 2.2 million people is increasingly facing famine. Israel had previously agreed to the outline, advanced by US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, but negotiations faltered over some of its details.
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