More on Egypt’s proposal to restore Gaza truce
According to the AP, the proposal calls for Hamas to release five living captives, including an American Israeli, in return for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and a weeks-long pause in the fighting. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The Reuters news agency is now offering more details on the Egyptian plan.
Citing two security sources, Reuters said the Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli captives each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week.
Both the US and Hamas have agreed to the proposal, the security sources told Reuters, but Israel has not yet responded.
They added that the Egyptian proposal includes a timeline for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, backed by US guarantees, in exchange for the release of remaining captives.
Hamas is still holding 59 captives, with 24 thought to be still alive.
Israeli minister: Shin Bet chief believes in establishing Palestinian state
Israel’s heritage minister says Ronen Bar, head of the intelligence agency who was sacked by Netanyahu, “believes in the distorted concept of establishing a Palestinian state and endangers Israel”.
In comments to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Amichai Eliyahu said Bar would be prosecuted “if it is found that he indeed conspired against Netanyahu and the elected leadership”.
The minister called for an investigation to establish whether Bar “undermined democracy” and whether he “knew that something would happen on October 7 and did not inform Netanyahu”.
The Supreme Court has suspended the government’s decision to dismiss the Shin Bet chief. Bar’s dismissal has triggered mass antigovernment protests with many Netanyahu critics suggesting Bar’s ouster was motivated by a desire to halt an inquiry into the events leading up to the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel eyes army plan to reconquer and govern Gaza: Report
Israel’s far-right government is studying a military plan to take over and rule Gaza after withdrawing from the Palestinian territory two decades ago.
According to a news report by The Financial Times, the potential move for Israel’s army to reoccupy and govern Gaza is now being considered because of the return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
“The prior administration wanted us to end the war. Trump wants us to win the war,” the Times quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying.
An unidentified “senior military reservist” said he was told to be ready for months of “combat, victory and administration”.
The plan involves moving Gaza’s 2.3 million people into the tiny al-Mawasi coastal area, currently described by Israel as a “humanitarian zone”.
Military analysts say at least four army divisions – or about 40,000 soldiers – would be permanently required to govern Gaza, it noted, raising questions about the proposal’s viability.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday the security cabinet “has not yet decided” on the occupation plan.
