Report: US hopes hostage deal could stop Israel’s military momentum, lead to lasting truce

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Citing a draft of the deal read by “officials involved in the talks,” The Wall Street Journal reports that the US is “pushing for a ceasefire deal that could stop the war in Gaza long enough to stall Israel’s military momentum and potentially set the stage for a more lasting truce.”

The three-part deal being considered in Cairo would start with a six-week ceasefire in which Israel ends all military operations, including drone surveillance, according to the reported draft. Civilian hostages would be freed, and Gazan civilians would move around the Strip freely.

Female IDF soldiers would be released in the second phase, and hospitals, water services and bakeries would reopen, according to the report.

Hamas is demanding that Israel free 150 Palestinian security prisoners for each released female soldier hostage, the report says, adding that that ratio is one of the sticking points in the talks.

The third stage would see male IDF soldiers and the bodies of dead hostages released.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.