Stalled talks aimed at securing the release of the 134 Israeli hostages still held by the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip are expected to resume in Qatar as soon as Sunday, according to Egyptian officials.
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The negotiations would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders joined the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. International mediators had hoped to secure a six-week truce before Ramadan started earlier this week, but Hamas refused any deal that wouldn't lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a demand Israel rejected.
Video: Families of the hostages camp outside the prime minister's home / Yehonatan Shaul
But both sides have made moves in recent days aimed at getting the talks, which never fully broke off, back on track.
Hamas gave mediators a new proposal for a three-stage plan that would end the fighting, according to two Egyptian officials, one who is involved in the talks and a second who was briefed on them. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to reveal the contents of the sensitive discussions.
The first stage would be a six-week ceasefire that would see the release of 35 hostages – women, those who are ill, and older people – held by terrorists in Gaza in exchange for 350 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas would also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 prisoners, including some serving long sentences on terror charges, for each soldier. Israeli forces would withdraw from two main roads in Gaza, let displaced Palestinians return to northern Gaza, and allow the free flow of aid to the area, the officials said.
In the second phase, the two sides would declare a permanent ceasefire and Hamas would free the remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners, the officials said.
In the third phase, Hamas would hand over the bodies it's holding of Israelis – civilians and soldiers – it had killed in its massacre on Oct. 7, in exchange for Israel lifting the blockade of Gaza and allowing reconstruction to start, the officials said.
Talks were expected to resume Sunday afternoon, though they could get pushed to Monday, the Egyptian officials said.
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