Israel demands release of all 50 hostages, casts doubt on Hamas ceasefire proposal

Israel has demanded the release of all 50 hostages held in Gaza, casting uncertainty over a new 60-day ceasefire proposal that Hamas accepted on Monday.

The proposal, presented by Qatar and Egypt, would secure the release of approximately half the hostages and is “almost identical” to a previous US proposal Israel had accepted, according to Qatari officials.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told the BBC that Israel was not interested in “partial deals,” stating that “things have changed now” and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had outlined plans for Gaza’s future.

Palestinian sources told the BBC the proposal would see 10 living and 18 dead hostages handed over whilst sides negotiated a permanent ceasefire and return of remaining hostages. Israel believes only 20 of the 50 hostages remain alive after 22 months of conflict.

Hamas official Taher al-Nunu described the agreement as “a partial deal leading to a comprehensive deal,” emphasising that permanent ceasefire negotiations would begin on the first day of implementation.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stated the proposal was “98%” similar to US envoy Steve Witkoff’s June plan, which Israel had accepted but Hamas rejected due to lack of permanent ceasefire guarantees.

Under the new proposal, Hamas would release eight living hostages on day one, two more on day 50, and dead hostages across multiple phases. Israel would release 1,500 Gaza detainees, 150 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, and 50 others serving terms exceeding 15 years.

Israeli forces would withdraw to positions 800 metres to 1.2 kilometres from Gaza’s perimeter during the truce whilst maintaining presence in southern Morag and Philadelphi corridors.

An Israeli official stated policy remained “consistent and unchanged,” demanding all hostages’ release according to cabinet principles to end the war. “We are in the final stage of defeating Hamas and will not leave any hostage behind,” the official said.

Netanyahu’s cabinet is expected to approve military plans to occupy Gaza City this week, where intensifying strikes have prompted thousands to flee. The prime minister announced intentions to conquer all Gaza after indirect ceasefire talks collapsed last month.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, representing far-right coalition partners seeking continued warfare until Hamas’s defeat, rejected partial deals that “abandon half the hostages” and could suspend the war “in defeat.”

Hostage families maintain pressure for immediate agreement. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains captive, accused Netanyahu of “deliberately setting unworkable conditions as an obstacle.”

Israeli military operations began following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 62,064 deaths since Israeli operations commenced.

Over 90% of Gaza’s homes are estimated damaged or destroyed, with healthcare, water and sanitation systems collapsed. UN experts warn of famine conditions due to food shortages affecting the territory’s 2.1 million residents.

Experts, governments, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organisations have accused Israel of carrying out genocide against the Palestinian people.

Israel to call up 50,000 reservists before Gaza City offensive, military official says

Israel will call up 50,000 reservists before a planned offensive to take Gaza City but most forces that would operate in the Gaza Strip’s largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday.

The call-up notices could be sent in the coming days, with reservists to report for duty in September, the military official said.

“Most of the troops that will be mobilised in this new stage will be active duty and not reservists,” said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

The reservists who are called up could be in the air force, intelligence or supporting roles, or replace active duty soldiers stationed outside Gaza, the official said.