Israel agrees to temporary ceasefire in Gaza during Ramzan, Passover

Israel has agreed to a proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Ramzan and Passover periods. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in a statement this morning said it has agreed to implement the US envoy Steve Witkoff’s idea of a ceasefire extension. The decision comes as the first phase of a previously agreed ceasefire was nearing its expiration. Netanyahu’s office said Israel would immediately conduct negotiations on Witkoff’s plan if Hamas agreed to it. It further stated that half of the hostages held in Gaza, both alive and deceased, will be released on the first day of the temporary ceasefire. The



release of the remaining hostages will take place once a permanent ceasefire is agreed upon.

Earlier yesterday, Hamas rejected Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, although they did not specifically address Witkoff’s plan. Discussions on the ceasefire have continued, most recently in Cairo, but have not resulted in a final agreement. The first phase of the ceasefire began on January 19, resulting in the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately two thousand Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.