30-day ceasefire, 11-14 hostages released: New hostage deal proposal after meetings in Qatar

During his recent visit to Doha, Qatar, the director of the Mossad, David Barnea, revealed that a new proposal for a hostage release-ceasefire deal was discussed, as reported by Hebrew news media on Tuesday evening.

In the proposal discussed between Barnea, the Qatari representatives and CIA Director William Burns, an outline was presented that would see 11 to 14 hostages released – primarily women, children and the elderly – in exchange for a 30-day ceasefire and a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.

Notably, the outline did not include a demand for the withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire, nor did it demand immediate negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

Several Hebrew news sites reported that senior coalition officials support the proposal saying, “Any outline that does not include ending a war can be talked about.” 

Meanwhile, Egyptian mediators also revised their previous proposal, the Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed reported on Tuesday evening. The Egyptians clarified to Israeli authorities that their offer is not limited to a 48-hour ceasefire in exchange for the release of four hostages but includes further details regarding a hostage-prisoner exchange and a 14-day pause in fighting.

According to Egypt's proposal, four hostages would be released in exchange for 40 Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli prisons. After the successful exchange, both sides would begin negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages.

Israeli officials are not interested in discussing a permanent ceasefire at this time. 

In comments to his Likud party on Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to deny that the Egyptian proposal was a valid offer, accepted by Hamas. 

“Israel has not received a proposal for the release of four hostages in return for a 48-hour ceasefire in Gaza. If such a proposal had been raised, the Prime Minister would have accepted it immediately,” his spokesman Omer Dostri said. 

The Egyptian offer is also seen as problematic with the Israeli coalition cabinet, as it demands immediate negotiations for a permanent ceasefire after a partial hostage release.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir are adamantly opposed to a partial hostage release deal contingent upon any permanent ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, which was highlighted in the initial Egyptian offer.

According to Ynet, the proposal discussed in Qatar, while not calling for an immediate Israeli withdrawal or permanent ceasefire, apparently includes assurances from both the United States and Qatar of a full Israeli withdrawal in the near future.

N12 News reported that while Israel is waiting for an official response regarding the Qatari proposal, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stated: “We responded to the mediators' request to discuss new proposals for a ceasefire agreement. We are open to any proposal to stop the aggression in the Gaza Strip and to any agreement that will end the suffering of our people and bring about a final ceasefire.” 

However, after Egypt's “small deal” proposal was sent to Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar's former deputy, said, "There is no change in Hamas' position and the demand for a general ceasefire and an IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip." 

On Tuesday, according to N12, Netanyahu told Likud members, “Hamas makes demands that we cannot meet – an end to the war. We are working all the time to bring back the abductees, we are currently trying to achieve partial solutions, but it is not certain that opportunities will not develop here because of Sinwar's assassination.”