Israel Demands Release of All Hostages
An Israeli official has stated that Israel is demanding the release of all 50 hostages being held in Gaza. This demand has cast doubt on whether Israel will accept a new 60-day ceasefire proposal that Hamas agreed to on Monday.
Details of the Ceasefire Proposal
The proposal, presented by Qatar and Egypt, involved the release of only about half of the hostages. Qatar stated that this proposal was similar to a previous American plan that Israel had already accepted. Israel has not officially rejected this new proposal. However, in a conversation with the BBC, Israeli government spokesman David Menser said that Israel is not interested in a partial agreement.
Israel's Stance and Future Plans
Menser explained that the situation has now changed. He stated that the Prime Minister has already made plans for the future of Gaza. This suggests a shift in Israel's position away from temporary pauses.
Beliefs About the Hostages and Staggered Release
According to Palestinian sources, the proposed deal would have happened in stages. The first step involved transferring 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 deceased ones. After this initial transfer, both sides would then negotiate a permanent ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages. After 22 months of war, Israel believes that out of the original 50 hostages, only 20 may still be alive.
