Israel said to present new deal in Doha to free half of the living hostages in exchange for extended truce, prisoner release

Israel has presented a new proposal to Hamas during the hostage negotiations in Doha, offering an extended ceasefire under which half of the remaining living hostages would be released in exchange for more than 100 terrorists serving life sentences, Channel 12 reports.

Under the deal, Hamas would also return half of the deceased hostages, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees arrested following the October 7, 2023, massacre.

The proposal has been delivered to US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and the Qatari mediators, says the network.

Meanwhile, Axios reports that Witkoff, who has been in Doha for several days to participate in the negotiations, has also given Hamas and Israel a new proposal and is pressuring the two sides to accept it.

The updated framework includes a 40-60 day ceasefire and the release of an unspecified number Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 10 living hostages, and a mutual understanding that the deal would be the start of a wider agreement to end the war entirely, says Axios, citing an Israeli official and a source with direct knowledge.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded positively to the proposal, while Hamas is still seeking guarantees that a temporary ceasefire could lead to the war’s end, the report says.

Earlier today, Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s hostage negotiation team in Doha is exhausting “every possibility” for a deal, including a potential agreement that would see the end of fighting, in an apparent shift in approach.

There has been further frustration on Hamas’s part about its negotiations with Washington, Axios says, following Israel’s targeted strike against the head of Hamas’ military wing, Muhammed Sinwar, whose death has yet to be confirmed by the IDF.

On this issue, Witkoff told families of the hostages over the last day that he will not allow the results of the strike on Sinwar to harm progress in negotiations, according to Channel 12.

“We know how to get an answer from Hamas in Gaza at any given moment, including after the elimination of Muhammed Sinwar. We have our ways. Nothing has been stalled because of the assassination. I don’t intend to give up, until we achieve the desired result. If needed – I’m a lawyer, and I will draft the agreement,” the network quotes Witkoff as saying, reporting in Hebrew on the English conversation.