Israel proposed extended ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the return of half of the remaining hostages

(Patria) - Israel has proposed an extended ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the return of approximately half of the remaining hostages, Israeli officials said on Monday. At the same time, the army issued new evacuation orders and announced "intensive operations" in the south of the enclave.

According to the latest proposals, a final agreement to end the war between Israel and Hamas, which has destroyed large parts of Gaza since October 2023, killed tens of thousands of people and displaced almost the entire population, would remain open.

The proposals envisage the return of half of the 24 hostages believed to be still alive in Gaza, almost 18 months after they were abducted by Hamas-led militants, as well as half of the 35 presumed dead. This would happen during a truce lasting between 40 and 50 days, said Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would increase pressure on Hamas but would continue negotiations "under fire." According to him, continued military pressure is the best way to ensure the return of the hostages. Netanyahu also reiterated Israel's demands for Hamas to be disarmed, although the Palestinian militant group rejected such calls, calling them a "red line" they would not cross.

Netanyahu added that Hamas leaders would be allowed to leave Gaza as part of a broader solution, which would include US President Donald Trump's proposals for the "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the narrow coastal enclave.

On Monday, the Israeli army ordered Palestinians living in areas around the southern city of Rafah to relocate to Al Mawasi, an area on the coast. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is returning to intensive operations to dismantle the capabilities of terrorist organizations in these areas," said the army spokesman in Arabic in a statement.

Hamas announced over the weekend that it had accepted proposals from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, which security sources said involved the release of five hostages each week in exchange for a ceasefire. The Israeli army, which had cut off aid to Gaza, resumed operations on March 18 after a two-month truce, during which 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais were released in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Efforts to move to the second phase of the truce agreement, signed with US support in January, have largely stalled, with no indication of progress in overcoming fundamental differences between the two sides on the post-war future. Israel insists that Hamas's military and administrative capabilities must be completely destroyed and that the group, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, must have no role in the future governance of the enclave.

(Reuters)