Egypt Daily News – A New Israeli proposal regarding prisoners and the ceasefire has been introduced. It seems that the Egyptian proposal for a new truce in Gaza, which Hamas agreed to, has reached an impasse, with Israel on Monday proposing another suggestion involving the release of half of the remaining hostages in the sector, both dead and alive, in exchange for a long-term ceasefire.
Officials also confirmed Netanyahu’s demand for the disarmament of Palestinian factions in the sector and the departure of Hamas leaders. Israeli officials on Monday stated that Tel Aviv had proposed a long-term ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of about half of the remaining hostages.
The new Israeli proposal includes the return of half of the hostages believed to still be alive, numbering 24, and the bodies of about half of the hostages believed to have died, numbering 35, during a truce lasting between 40 and 50 days.
This comes as the Israeli military intensifies its operations in the sector, issuing new evacuation orders on Monday that covered about a fifth of the area, and stating that it intends to expand its operations in the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced on Sunday that Israel would intensify pressure on Hamas but would continue negotiations. He considered that continued military pressure was the best way to ensure the return of the hostages, repeating his demands for disarmament in the sector.
Netanyahu said he would allow Hamas leaders to leave Gaza under a broader settlement that includes U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to open “voluntary migration” for Palestinians from the sector.
Call to Arms
In response to Netanyahu’s demands, Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri on Monday called on “everyone who can carry arms anywhere in the world to move” against Trump’s plan to deport Palestinians.
Abu Zuhri said, “Netanyahu’s statements that the goal of the war is to implement Trump’s plan for deportation firmly confirm that we are facing an American-Zionist plot linked to the deportation project.”
He added, “In light of this devilish scheme that combines massacres and starvation, everyone who can carry arms anywhere in the world must move. Do not spare any bomb, bullet, knife, or stone. Let everyone break their silence. We are all guilty if America’s and the Zionist occupation’s interests remain safe while Gaza is slaughtered and starved.”
Over a Thousand Killed
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the sector announced on Monday that 1,001 people had been killed in the sector since Israel resumed its wide-scale airstrikes on March 18.
The toll includes 80 people who were killed in the past 48 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, to 50,357, according to the ministry.
