Israel proposes two-month ceasefire for hostage deal

Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants since 7 October storm a parliamentary committee session demanding the lawmakers do more to try to free their loved ones
Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants since 7 October storm a parliamentary committee session on 22 January 2024, demanding lawmakers do more to try to free their loved ones (image: Steven Scheer/REUTERS)

Israel is proposing a two-month ceasefire in the Gaza war, which has been raging for more than 100 days, the U.S. news portal Axios reported late on Monday citing Israeli officials. 

The offer was reportedly presented to Egypt and Qatar mediators and is intended to lead to the release of all hostages held by the Islamist Hamas, Axios reported. 

The author of the article, the well-known and well-connected Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, cited two unnamed Israeli government officials.

Hamas is still holding 136 hostages following the terrorist attack by Gaza-ruling Hamas and other extremist groups on 7 October on areas in southern Israel, according to Israeli information. 

A two-month ceasefire would be the most far-reaching offer of this kind made by the Israeli government to date. 

Hamas released 105 hostages during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. 

Since then, Israel's government has shown little willingness to make concessions in exchange for further hostage releases. The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been heavily criticised for not doing enough to free the hostages. 

Last weekend thousands of people again demonstrated in Israel, calling on the government to make more serious efforts to free the captives. 

According to the Axios report, the offer of a two-month ceasefire does not include an end to the conflict. Israel's military would only withdraw from population centres in the Gaza Strip. 

The Palestinians who have fled to the south of the enclave on the orders of the Israeli military would be able to return to the north. 

The Israeli proposal was approved by the war cabinet ten days ago, Axios reported. Hamas had previously linked any new hostage releases to an end of the war. 

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have been trying for weeks to bridge the different demands. A three-stage plan is on the table, which regulates the process of hostage releases and the cessation of hostilities. 

The Gaza war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history on 7 October, when over 1,200 people in Israel were killed by Hamas terrorists and other groups. 

The attack prompted Israel to bombard the coastal strip and launch an extensive ground operation. The Israeli government's declared aim in the conflict is to crush Hamas militarily and free the hostages.    (dpa)