2024-01-10 19:36:40
Israel’s war cabinet met on Wednesday evening to discuss efforts to release more hostages in the Gaza Strip. According to unconfirmed Israeli media reports, Qatar is said to have presented a new proposal for a deal. Israeli media reported unanimously that this should be discussed at the meeting.
According to the proposal, all hostages should be released in return for a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. The leadership of the Islamist Hamas should go into exile as part of the agreement.
Israel had previously rejected a withdrawal of the army before the destruction of Hamas and the release of the 136 remaining hostages. The Hamas leadership is also unwilling to leave the Gaza Strip and give up control of the area. Therefore, the chances of an agreement between Israel and Hamas are considered slim.
During a week-long ceasefire in November, 105 hostages were released in return for 240 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange took place following mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the USA. Israeli media reported that an Israeli delegation traveled to Cairo.
Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said on Wednesday: “The most urgent matter is the repatriation of the hostages, it is more important than any element of the fight.”
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday evening that troops had found a tunnel in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip where hostages had previously been held by Hamas. The hostages were there underground “under very difficult circumstances”. Hagari gave no further details.
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