According to Axios, a weeklong pause would allow the release of around 40 people held by Hamas
Israel proposed a weeklong ceasefire to Hamas in the Gaza Strip to release around 40 hostages. The information comes from the digital newspaper Axios, which confirmed the proposal with two Israeli authorities and another source involved in the negotiations.
The proposal was made by mediators from Qatar, the country that negotiated the agreement that led to the November 24December 1 ceasefire. During this period, more than 100 hostages were released.
Around 130 people are still being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to Axios, Israel's ceasefire proposal calls for the release of sick or seriously injured women, men over 60 and hostages.
In addition to the pause in fighting, the Israelis have indicated they may release Palestinian prisoners convicted of more serious attacks on Israel than those envisaged in the previous ceasefire.
According to people interviewed by the digital newspaper, there are dozens of Palestinian prisoners who are elderly or sick and could be released under a humanitarian deal.
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