Cairo’s proposal called for a 45-day ceasefire, during which half of the remaining hostages would be released, and additional humanitarian aid would enter the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has rejected Egypt’s proposal for a hostage release and ceasefire deal, citing the plan’s demand that the terror group disarm.
Cairo’s proposal called for a 45-day ceasefire during which half of the remaining hostages would be released and additional humanitarian aid would enter the Gaza Strip.
Hamas continued its insistence that Israel end the war, but the Egyptian plan would make that dependent on Hamas laying down its arms, which it refuses to do.
According to the proposal, Hamas would release eight living hostages, including American-Israeli Edan Alexander, and return eight bodies in exchange for a 40-70-day ceasefire and the release of approximately 1,100 dangerous terrorists held in Israeli prisons.
According to alternative terms proposed under the Egyptian mediation plan, Hamas may release up to 11 living hostages along with the bodies of 16 others, provided Israel agrees to a complete 70-day ceasefire.
The releases would likely be phased throughout the truce rather than taking place all at once.
Image - Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90