Israel: "New" Egyptian proposal dead on arrival

Israel says it has received the complete Egyptian proposal "bridging" the demands of Israel and Hamas for a hostage deal today (Monday), saying that the deal effectively means accepting Hamas' conditions for a complete ceasefire, which Israel rejects, according to Channel 12 reporter Amit Segal.

According to Segal, the deal, which reportedly included an offer to free "about" eight live hostages and a number of bodies in exchange for a ceasefire of between 50 and 70 days and the renewed provision of humanitarian aid, is also "wrapped up in impossible conditions of ending the war and accepting Hamas' conditions for this."

According to Israel Hayom, an Egyptian source speaking with the Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" said the "bridging" proposal included the release of about eight living hostages in exchange for a ceasefire lasting between 40 and 70 days. The source said that this was based on an effort to reconcile the demands of Israel and Hamas for a deal.

Per the source, Hamas senior officials requested guarantees regarding the extent of Israel's commitment to the ceasefire after the hostages are handed over. According to the proposal, the hostages would not be released all at once, but would likely be released in phases of one hostage per day over about a week, in much the same approach taken in the first stage of the hostage deal.

In exchange, Israel would cease fire and allow aid to enter with the release of the first hostages.