Israel must take hostage deal, its military chief reportedly says

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Eyal Zamir reportedly called on the Israeli prime minister to accept the new hostage deal

Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff has said there is a “deal on the table” for the remaining hostages in Gaza, according to Israeli media.

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir reportedly said the Israeli military had brought about the conditions for a deal, and it is now in Prime Minister Benjamin “Netanyahu’s hands,” Channel 13 News reports.

On Tuesday, Israel’s security cabinet is expected to discuss the latest proposal advanced by regional mediators, which Hamas accepted a week ago.

It follows mass demonstrations in Israel earlier this month as hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv, calling for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Zamir had voiced “what most Israelis were demanding,” including a deal to bring home all 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, and an end to the war.

The group is planning another day of mass protest on Tuesday.

The most recent proposal, from mediators in Egypt and Qatar is said to be based on a framework put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff in June.

It would see Hamas free around half of the hostages in two rounds during an initial 60-day truce. There would also be negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office previously said that Israel would only accept a deal if “all the hostages are released in one go”.

Credit: bbc.com

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