Israel 'could agree to a week-long ceasefire with Hamas' in exchange for 40 hostages as the terror group continues to hold 129 people captive
Israel has indicated it is ready for a week-long ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for about 40 hostages, Israeli media reported last night.
It follows last month's ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by Qatar, which saw the release of more than 100 women and children hostages.
There are still 129 Israeli hostages held in the area following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks. That figure includes the bodies of at least 21 hostages killed in captivity, according to Israel.
It comes as the US has signaled it will support Israel ahead of a second UN Security Council vote calling for a ceasefire. Israeli forces continued to bomb the area yesterday, killing at least 28 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Before today's postponed vote, diplomats struggled to broker a new pause to free hostages and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel has indicated it is ready for a week-long ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for about 40 hostages (photo: IDF soldiers at the Gaza border on Monday)
129 Israeli hostages are still being held in the area following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks (photo: Gaza Strip on Tuesday)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said protecting Palestinian civilians is “both a moral obligation and a strategic imperative” after a meeting with Israeli officials on Monday.
Meanwhile, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's top political leader, will travel to Egypt today for ceasefire talks and prisoner exchanges, AFP news agency said last night.
He will lead a high-level delegation to Cairo, where he will hold talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.
British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will also visit Jordan and Egypt this week to call for a 'lasting ceasefire'.
Israeli officials are also considering building a “humanitarian compound” in northern Gaza to house displaced Palestinian civilians, CNN reported.