Israeli official says ceasefire could start next week if Hamas gives ‘positive answer’

Israel believes that Hamas will give an answer to the latest hostage deal offer within the next 24 hours, a senior Israeli official tells Channel 13. “If it comes back with a positive answer, it could take place by next week,” says the senior official.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a meeting on the terms of a potential deal.

The 60-day deal is expected to see five separate releases of dead and living hostages, with Channel 13 saying that on day one, eight living hostages will be released; on day seven, five bodies, on day 30, another five bodies, on day 50, two living hostages and on the last day eight more bodies.

The security cabinet will meet on Saturday night to vote on the proposal before Netanyahu takes off for Washington. The ceasefire could start while Netanyahu is in the United States, according to the report.