CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel has proposed a two-phase plan to the Hamas movement, through Egyptian mediators, for the release of hostages held in Gaza, well-informed Egyptian sources told Xinhua on Saturday.
The initial phase of the proposal involves Hamas releasing 11 living hostages and the bodies of 16 deceased individuals. This would be followed by a 40-day truce.
Subsequently, in the second phase, Israel's proposal calls for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages in a single batch.
The United States backs Israel's proposal, which leverages "the current military pressure," according to the sources.
Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on Tuesday, effectively ending a ceasefire with Hamas brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States that began on Jan. 19. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza. In response, Hamas made several rocket launches targeting Israeli territory, most of which Israel said have been intercepted. ■
