Israel offers ceasefire to Hamas for hostage release – Axios

Israel, through Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, has made a proposal to Hamas involving a temporary pause in hostilities for about two months, as part of a multi-stage agreement aimed at securing the release of all hostages held in Gaza.

Source: Axios, citing sources

Details: The publication notes that, although the proposal does not include a formal agreement on a ceasefire, it outlines the longest break in the conflict from Israel since the beginning of the conflict. 

Axios reiterates that over 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Israeli officials state that several dozen hostages either died on 7 October or in the subsequent weeks.

According to the media, Israeli officials have stated that the Security Cabinet of Israel approved the terms of a new proposal for the release of hostages ten days ago. These terms differ in certain aspects from agreements rejected by Hamas, and are considered more progressive than previous Israeli proposals.

Israeli authorities mentioned that they are awaiting a response from Hamas, but emphasised "cautious optimism" about the possibility of making progress in the coming days. 

Under the proposal, the agreement envisions the release of all living hostages and the return of the bodies of deceased hostages in several stages.

During the first stage, women, men over 60 years old, and hostages in critical medical conditions will be released. Subsequent stages will involve the release of female military personnel, men under 60 who are not military personnel, Israeli male military personnel, and the return of the bodies of deceased hostages.

Officials have stated that the overall ceasefire period proposed by Israel, allowing for the staggered release of all hostages, could last up to two months. 

Under the proposed agreement, Israel and Hamas will first decide upon the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released for each Israeli hostage, then negotiate which specific prisoners will fill the given release quota.

Israeli officials have mentioned that the proposal includes the partial withdrawal of Israel Defence Forces (IDF) units from major population centres in the Strip. This would allow for the gradual return of the Palestinian civilian population to the city of Gaza and the northern part of the Gaza Strip as the agreement is implemented.

Israeli officials have stated that this proposal does not mean the country is agreeing to a complete cessation of hostilities and the release of all 6,000 Palestinian prisoners.

According to the publication, John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator, told journalists on Monday that President Biden supports a ceasefire that would allow for the release of hostages and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israeli officials have expressed readiness to release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners if Hamas agrees to this proposal. They acknowledge that if the agreement is implemented, IDF operations in Gaza will be significantly reduced in scale and intensity after a two-month pause.

Background: 

• Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that Israel funded the creation of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, a claim previously denied by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Earlier, the EU Council approved a regime of special restrictive measures against the terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, allowing sanctions to be imposed on those providing financial or any other support to the groups.
• Additionally, this week, the EU imposed sanctions against the political leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and back in December, sanctions were also introduced against the leader of the military wing of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, and his deputy, Marwan Issa.

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