March 16, 2024 01:41 am | Updated 01:41 am IST - Gaza StripHamas has proposed a new six-week truce in Gaza and an exchange of several dozen Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official from the militant group told AFP on March 15. During the proposed truce, Gaza militants would release about 42 hostages seized during the October 7 attack that triggered the war in Gaza, the official said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. Under the new proposal, the initial exchange could include women, children, elderly and ill hostages, the official said. The Hamas proposal also calls to ramp up the flow of humanitarian aid, the official added. Israel has so far refused to withdraw from Gaza, saying such a move would amount to victory for Hamas.

Source: The Hindu March 16, 2024 04:24 UTC