US media: Ceasefire talks resurrected as Israel offers new terms for hostage exchange

Israel has presented Hamas with an updated proposal to secure the release of some of the 100 hostages still held in Gaza and to implement a ceasefire.

According to Israeli officials, who spoke to US media, the updated framework largely resembles a proposal from August but introduces adjustments aimed at facilitating the initial phase of the agreement, per Caliber.Az.

The renewed attempt comes amidst heightened international focus, with President-elect Donald Trump and his team actively pushing for progress.

The updated deal offers a ceasefire lasting between 42 and 60 days, with provisions for the release of surviving women hostages, male captives over 50, and those in critical medical conditions. Israel is also prepared to exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences, for the hostages. However, the assessment that some captives in these categories may no longer be alive has tempered the scope of these negotiations.

On December 6, the IDF announced the recovery of the body of Itay Svirsky, an Israeli hostage kidnapped during the October 7 attacks. This grim discovery underscores the urgency of securing the safe release of the remaining hostages, believed to include seven Americans.

The framework has been relayed to Hamas through Egyptian intelligence, with Egypt taking the lead as mediator. While Qatar continues to play a role, its involvement has diminished compared to earlier negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened senior ministers and security officials to finalize the proposal, which was shared with Egyptian negotiators earlier this week.

President-elect Trump has appointed Adam Boehler as his special envoy for hostage affairs, emphasizing the need to finalize a deal before his inauguration on January 20. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has also engaged with leaders in Qatar and Israel to expedite the process. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani expressed hope for progress, citing communications with Trump’s team.

Despite the renewed efforts, Israeli officials remain uncertain about Hamas’ stance on the revised framework. Should Hamas respond positively, Israeli negotiators are expected to travel to Cairo to finalize key aspects, including the duration of the ceasefire and the specifics of the prisoner exchange. This latest proposal reflects Israel’s attempt to balance humanitarian priorities with ongoing security concerns amidst the continued conflict in Gaza.

By Tamilla Hasanova