At least five hostages could be freed from Hamas’ clutches under new cease-fire proposals, which come as tens of thousands of protestors flooded Israeli streets Saturday night.
At least five hostages held by Hamas, including New Jersey native Edan Alexander, could be freed under new cease-fire proposals, officials said Saturday as tens of thousands of protestors flooded Israeli streets demanding the release of all captives.
The terror group agreed to release the five hostages, who were kidnapped in its Oct. 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, in exchange for a 50-day cease-fire over the Eid al-Fitr holiday and continuing through Passover, officials told Israeli and Arab news outlets Saturday.
Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, begins on Saturday night and ends Wednesday.
The proposal, put forward by Egypt after continued pressure from the US over the impasse, also calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners and reentry of aid into Gaza, the Times of Israel reported.
Israel responded with its own counteroffer, according to the outlet.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a series of consultations yesterday, following a proposal received from the mediators,” a statement from his office said Saturday.
“In recent hours, Israel transferred its counter proposal to the mediators, in full coordination with the United States,” it continued.
