Israel weighs Hamas' reply to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Deal would include release of half of remaining hostages during an initial 60-day truce

- 

JERUSALEM/CAIRO - Israel is studying Hamas' response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal, two officials said on Aug 19 about a potential deal for a 60-day truce and the release of half the Israeli hostages still held in the battered enclave.

Efforts to pause the fighting gained new momentum over the past week after Israel announced plans for a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City, and Egypt and Qatar have been pushing to restart indirect talks between the sides on a US-backed ceasefire plan.

The proposal includes the release of 200 Palestinian convicts jailed in Israel and an unspecified number of imprisoned women and minors, in return for 10 living and 18 deceased hostages from Gaza, according to a Hamas official.

Two Egyptian security sources confirmed the details and added that Hamas has requested the release of hundreds of Gaza detainees as well.

The proposal includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, which presently control 75 per cent of Gaza, and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the enclave, where a population of 2.2 million people is increasingly facing famine.