Citing Egyptian officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that under the rejected proposal, Hamas would also free elderly male hostages who require urgent medical care. In exchange, Israel would halt air and ground operations in Gaza for a week and allow increased aid into the coastal territory.
But Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad — another Iran-backed terror organization slated to take part in negotiations for the first time — reportedly told Egyptian mediators Israel must end its offensive in the Strip before they will discuss any potential deal.
Even then, the report said Islamic Jihad demanded that Israel free all Palestinian prisoners for the release of all remaining hostages — estimated at some 100.
Israel has said it will not halt its military campaign, and that this condition is a non-starter for talks. READ MORE
