65 dead in 24 hrs in Gaza as Egypt offers new truce plan

CAIRO/JERUSALEM: Egypt has put forward a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources said Monday, as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the past 24 hours.

The proposal, made last week, follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas last Tuesday. Health officials said Israel has killed nearly 700 Palestinians since it resumed its attacks, including 400 women and children. Hamas said several of its senior political and security officials had been killed.

The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week, two security sources said. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 of them thought to be still alive.

The US and Hamas agreed to the proposal, security sources said, but Israel has not yet responded. A Hamas official didn't confirm the offer, but said "several proposals are being discussed with mediators..."

Sources said the Egyptian proposal also includes a timeline for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, backed by US guarantees, in exchange for the hostages' release. (Reuters)