NYT: Hamas could free Israeli hostages within 60 days

Hamas is expected to release Israeli hostages in phases over a 60-day period under a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza, according to sources informed with the matter.

The proposed deal involves the release of 10 remaining living hostages and the return of 18 bodies still held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Caliber.Az writes, quoting a report by The New York Times.

Sources said the releases and repatriation of bodies would occur in five stages over the two-month period.

The newspaper noted that an earlier U.S. proposal had called for the release of all hostages by the seventh day of the ceasefire.

Three Israeli officials told the Times that the new offer is aimed at giving Hamas stronger assurances that a temporary truce could pave the way for a permanent end to hostilities in the Palestinian enclave.

More than 56,000 people, including thousands of children, have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The war began when Hamas and its allies attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. More than 250 others were taken hostage, according to Israel.

Israel and Hamas agreed to two short-lived cease-fires, both of which saw hostages in Gaza swapped for Palestinian prisoners. During the last truce, which Israel ended in mid-March, Israel released more than 1,500 prisoners and Hamas turned over 30 hostages and the bodies of eight more.

By Khagan Isayev