Reports in Israeli media suggest a renewed two-month ceasefire proposal linked to a broader exchange on hostages, with talks centered on the Gaza Strip. The coverage cited by the outlet Walla on Monday notes that senior Israeli officials were involved in detailing a plan that would pause military operations in the region for roughly sixty days in return for the release of hostages. The document also references the potential inclusion of Palestinian prisoners in swaps, aligning with mediators to secure a broader deal. (Walla reports)
According to the news outlet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the ceasefire idea to Egypt and Qatar, the principal mediators in this crisis. The plan envisions a two-month halt in fighting paired with the return of captives and the possibility of releasing Palestinian prisoners under an organized schedule. The framing suggests a comprehensive exchange rather than a simple pause in hostilities. (Walla, Israel)
The briefing estimates that about 136 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with 25 fatalities among them. Families of the captives have intensified demonstrations in recent days, urging the government to reach an agreement and to implement measures toward the hostages’ release. Netanyahu’s position, as cited by the report, did not fully commit to a deal with Hamas and favored security-driven action as a path to freedom. (Walla)
Walla notes that the proposed plan would be the most substantial proposal since the war began on October 7, even though the ceasefire would be limited to two months and would not meet Hamas’s demand for a complete halt to its military operation. (Walla)
The report recalls a prior week-long ceasefire at the end of last November, during which 105 prisoners were released, alongside the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreement. The current proposal would be framed around similar, but expanded, terms and a phased approach that could stretch up to two months. (Walla)
The outline reportedly includes the release of all living hostages and the retrieval of the remains of those deceased, distributed across multiple phases. (Walla)
The initial phase would target the freeing of captive women, older men, and hostages with serious health issues. Subsequent phases would cover hostages under 60, military personnel, and reservists, as well as the return of the remains of dozens of listed deceased in Gaza. (Walla)
Walla indicates that Israel and Hamas would agree in advance on the number of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for each released Israeli captive. If negotiators can broaden the list to include more detainees, officials say a meaningful increase in exchanges could be possible. (Walla)
The plan also contemplates the possible, gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, beginning with major population centers. In parallel, there would be a staged return of internally displaced Palestinians to Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip as security conditions allow. (Walla)
While Israel awaits a response from Hamas, sources cited by Walla describe an element of cautious optimism that the framework could progress. The dynamics remain delicate; any final agreement would require detailed verification on hostage releases, prisoner swaps, and security arrangements before it could be implemented. (Walla)