US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has put forward a fresh proposal aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza while prolonging the current ceasefire agreement.
A source with knowledge of the plan stated that under this arrangement, the ceasefire would continue for an additional 50 days. In return, Israel would release imprisoned terrorists, facilitating the release of a group of hostages.
During this extended period of calm, discussions would recommence regarding the second phase of the agreement. This phase includes Israel’s full military withdrawal from Gaza, despite Hamas having repeatedly violated previous ceasefire conditions.
The precise number of hostages that would be freed under this new proposal remains uncertain. However, reports suggest that five hostages who are alive, along with the remains of nine others, could be released. Among them are American citizens.
A prior proposal, which offered to prolong the ceasefire by 60 days in exchange for freeing half of the hostages at the beginning and the rest at the conclusion of that period, was rejected by Hamas. The terrorist group also dismissed a US-backed plan that called for a two-month ceasefire extension in return for the release of ten hostages.
{Matzav.com}
No