Egyptian mediators have proposed for Hamas to release three living hostages and the remains of three others in exchange for a two-week extension of the current ceasefire agreement, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
This proposal follows the expiration of the 42-day hostage and ceasefire agreement on March 1. Israel has indicated its readiness to immediately act on a proposal by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire.
The proposed extension would cover both Pesach and Ramadan. Under the terms of this proposal, half of the living hostages and the remains of those who have died would be freed at the start of the period. If an agreement for a permanent ceasefire is reached by the end of the framework, the remaining hostages—both living and deceased—would be released, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. At present, Hamas has rejected the proposal.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati commented on the ongoing discussions concerning the next phase of the hostage and ceasefire agreement. He stressed that urgent negotiations must begin for this second phase. He also mentioned that Egypt is preparing plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, which will be shared once they are formally approved at an Arab emergency summit on Tuesday.
Furthermore, he emphasized that humanitarian aid should never be used as a means of collective punishment or to enforce starvation.
Earlier on Sunday, Israel stopped the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, asserting that it would not allow a ceasefire to continue without the hostages being released.
{Matzav.com Israel}