Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working on a new hostage deal proposal that would include the release of all hostages, both living and deceased, at once in return for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, The Associated Press reported on Friday, citing two Arab officials.
One of the sources is directly involved in mediation efforts, and the other was briefed on the discussions. The efforts for the new proposal have the backing of major Arab Gulf monarchies.
The monarchies have concerns over further regional destabilization if Israel fully reoccupies the Strip, the officials said.
The proposal is not finalized. One of the contentious issues to be addressed is Hamas’s disarmament. Current discussions center around “freezing” Hamas’s weaponry so that it can hold on to it but not use it. It also calls for Hamas to relinquish its power over Gaza.
The new framework proposes having a Palestinian-Arab committee run Gaza and oversee reconstruction efforts until a new Palestinian administration with a police force is established.
The police would be trained by two US allies in the Middle East. According to one of the officials, the role of the US allies remains unclear.
The US has been briefed on the parameters of the framework, according to the second official.
Security Cabinet decision to expand Gaza operations
Israel's Security Cabinet on Friday approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to occupy Gaza City.
Several members of Israel’s Security Cabinet, who spoke with The Jerusalem Post following last night’s decision to launch an operation to capture Gaza City, acknowledged that the plan is unlikely to lead to Hamas's defeat or the return of the hostages.
There are 50 Israeli hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip, with 20 of them presumed to be alive.
This is a developing story.