David Barnea, the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, has presented a plan to the country's military cabinet that includes a 35-day ceasefire offer to the Palestinian radical movement Hamas in exchange for the release of 35 Israeli hostages. Israel's 12th TV channel reported this.
The possible transaction will be staged. The first of these provides for the release of women and the elderly, as well as the sick and wounded. The truce could be extended for another week to allow for negotiations on a second round of hostage releases, which could include civil defense personnel and men whom Hamas views as fighters.
According to the TV channel, Hamas has 136 hostages in total.
