Israel proposes two-month ‘fighting pause’ in exchange for release of all hostages: Report
22 January 2024 20:36 GMT | Middle East Eye
▻https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-proposes-two-month-fighting-pause-exchange-release-all-hostage
Israel has given Hamas a proposal, through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, which offers a fighting pause lasting up to two months. This is part of a broader multi-stage agreement that would also entail the release of all remaining captives held in Gaza, Axios reported on Monday.
The proposal, citing two Israeli officials, outlines that the deal would involve releasing all surviving hostages and returning the remains of those who died. In the initial phase, women, men above 60 years old, and hostages in critical medical condition would be released, as stated by the officials.
The next phases will involve the release of female soldiers, civilian men under 60, Israeli male soldiers, and returning the bodies of the hostages.
Axios reported that under the proposed deal, Israel and Hamas would pre-determine the number of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for each Israeli hostage in different categories. Following this agreement on numbers, separate discussions would then be held to decide on the specific identities of these prisoners, according to the officials.
The Israeli officials said the proposal makes clear Israel will not agree to end the war and will not agree to release all 6,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, Axios reported.
According to Israeli officials, the proposal entails a repositioning of the Israeli forces, with some units being relocated away from major population areas in the enclave. This would facilitate a phased return of Palestinian civilians to Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip as the deal progresses, the Axios report says.
