Israel Asks To Immediately Release Hostages, Hamas Rejects Little Weapons

Gaza/DOK WFP Condition

JAKARTA - Israel proposed an extension of the ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for a return of about half of the remaining hostages.

The Israeli military issued a new evacuation order and said "intensive operations" were planned in the south of the area.

The latest proposal will open a final agreement to end the Israel-Hamas war that has destroyed much of Gaza's territory, killed tens of thousands of people, and displaced nearly the entire population since it began in October 2023.

However, the proposal estimates the return of half of the 24 hostages believed to be still alive in Gaza nearly 18 months after they were swept away by armed people led by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would increase pressure on Hamas but would continue negotiations "under pressure".

Continuous military pressure is the best way to secure Israel's will.

Netanyahu also repeated Israel's demands for Hamas to strip off weapons even though the Palestinian militant movement has rejected the call as a "red line" it will not cross. Netanyahu said Hamas leaders would be allowed to leave Gaza based on a broader settlement that would include a proposal from US President Donald Trump for the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from the narrow Gaza Strip.

Reported by Reuters on Monday, March 31, the Israeli military notified Palestinians living in the area around the southern city of Rafah to move to Al Mawasi, a coastal area. "

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are again carrying out intensive operations to paralyze the ability of terrorist organizations in the area, an Arabic-speaking military spokesman said.

Hamas said at the weekend they had accepted proposals made by Qatar and Egypt mediators that security sources said would require the release of five hostages every week in exchange for the ceasefire.

The Israeli military continued operations on March 18 after a two-month ceasefire, in which 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais were released in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Efforts to switch to a second phase in a ceasefire agreement signed with US support in January have largely stalled, with no sign of movement to address the fundamental differences between the two sides over the postwar future.

Israel said the military capacity and the Hamas government should be completely dissolved and said the group, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, could not play a role in the region's future government.

Hamas said he was willing to step down to allow other Palestinian governments to replace him, but declined to strip and said he should play a role in choosing any future government.

Israel launched its military operations in Gaza following an attack by Hamas-led gunmen against the southern Israeli community on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and held 251 people hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

The military operation has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.