Israel moves for 2-month truce with Hamas to release captives: report

Jerusalem: Israel is moving for a truce of two months with Hamas in Gaza in a bid to release Israeli hostages held by Hamas and others. However, the truce does not mean an end to war, Al Jazeera reported.

As per Israeli media reports late on Monday, the Netanyahu administration is positive that it could make a deal with Hamas with the US’s backing. Israel makes such a move as the pressure on the government mounts like anything for the release of Hamas-held hostages.

Israel has presented the deal before Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, US-based website Axios reported, quoting Israeli officials. The proposed deal includes a two-month truce, during which Israeli hostages held by Hamas will be released in phases.

According to Channel 13 of Israel, there could be three to four phases and during the truce, Israeli troops will withdraw from the areas of Gaza, but the war will stay on.

More reports suggest that the US is pushing for the deal with regional partners.

Al Jazeera reports that the Israeli proposal for the release of captives starts with women and those over 60 years of age. The second phase will be for the release of female soldiers and men who are not part of the military or deemed so by Hamas. The third will release male soldiers and bodies remaining inside the enclave.

When Israel suggests the removal of its forces from certain areas in Gaza so that those displaced from there could return, Al Jazeera asks that for what they have to return to.