Israel Proposes Hostage Exchange and Ceasefire Option

The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, has presented a plan to the country's military cabinet that includes a 35-day ceasefire proposal in exchange for the release of 35 Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian Hamas militant group. This was reported by Israel's Channel 12.

The potential deal would be phased. The first phase envisions the release of women, the elderly, as well as sick and injured individuals. The ceasefire could be extended for an additional week to negotiate the second phase of hostage releases, which may include civil defense participants and men that Hamas considers combatants.

According to the television channel, there are a total of approximately 136 hostages held by Hamas.