Israel proposed to Hamas, through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, to suspend hostilities for up to two months as part of a deal to release all hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
According to unnamed Israeli officials, the deal would take place in several phases, the first of which would see the release of women, men over 60 and those in critical condition.
The proposal does not include promises to end the war, but it does involve Israeli troops reducing their presence in Gaza’s major cities and the gradual return of residents to the devastated north. Officials noted that implementing the deal could take about two months.
Israeli publication Ynet also reported on the proposal, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned it in a meeting with the hostages’ families on Monday.
News of the offer came after US media reported that the White House Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, was due to travel to the region for meetings in Egypt and Qatar aimed at forging a new hostage swap deal.
Some 250 hostages were taken during the Hamas attack on October 7. Israel claims about 132 hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead. In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive killing at least 25,295 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
