Israel's Demand for Hostage Release Casts Doubt on Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
Israel has demanded the release of all 50 hostages held in Gaza, raising concerns about the feasibility of a proposed 60-day ceasefire agreement that Hamas agreed to on Monday.
According to an Israeli official, Israel's position remains unchanged, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that the war will not end until all hostages are released and Hamas is disarmed.
The proposal, put forward by Qatar and Egypt, would see the release of around half the hostages and is "almost identical" to a US proposal Israel had previously accepted, according to Qatar.
Israel has not explicitly rejected it - but Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told the BBC that it is not interested in "partial deals".
"Things have changed now. The prime minister has laid out a plan for the future of Gaza," Mencer said.
Palestinian sources said the proposal would see 10 living and 18 dead hostages handed over while the sides negotiated a permanent ceasefire and the return of the other hostages.
Israel believes that only 20 of the 50 hostages are still alive after 22 months of war.
The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 62,000 Palestinian Deaths.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the death toll has passed 62,000, with another 156,000 wounded.
Aid groups warn of famine, with over 260 people, including 112 children, dying from malnutrition-related causes. Israel denies blocking food, but Amnesty International accuses it of waging a "deliberate campaign of starvation".
The situation remains uncertain, with mass protests in Israel demanding the government prioritize hostage returns. Netanyahu faces pressure from his right-wing allies to continue the war, while the international community pushes for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid.
Later this week, the Israeli cabinet is expected to approve the military's plan to occupy Gaza City, where intensifying Israeli strikes have already prompted thousands of people to flee.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to conquer all of Gaza - including the areas where most of its 2.1 million Palestinian residents have sought refuge - after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire deal broke down last month.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 62,064 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Most of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times; more than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed; and UN-backed global food security experts have warned that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out" due to food shortages.
Source. – BBC News
