Israel has reportedly prepared a new proposal for a two-month truce to secure the release of captives held by Hamas in Gaza, without ending the war.
According to US and Israeli press reports, Tel Aviv is optimistic about reaching a deal with the assistance of the US. The proposal comes amid intensified combat in southern Gaza and mounting pressure on the Israeli government to bring the captives home.
Israeli officials have presented the proposal to Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as reported by US website Axios. The truce would involve the release of all Israeli detainees in Gaza over a two-month period.
Israel’s Channel 13 revealed that the deal includes three to four stages of captive release and partial Israeli military withdrawal from certain areas of Gaza, while the war continues.
Reports indicate that the US is working with regional partners to push the plan forward. The White House’s Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, is currently in Cairo to discuss the proposal, with plans to continue to Qatar.
Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from East Jerusalem, stated that the proposal includes phased release of captives, starting with women and those over 60.
Source from www.aljazeera.com