Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, warning that the planned military operation to seize control of Gaza City could endanger the lives of Israeli hostages held there. Israeli media reported that Halevi, during a visit to a naval base in Haifa, pressed military leaders to accept the ceasefire deal on the table, describing it as an improved version of the proposal negotiated by U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff.

The proposal, as reported by Israel's Channel 13, includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 hostages are to be released alive in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Halevi reiterated his concern that the planned military operation in Gaza City, the largest in the Gaza Strip, could endanger the lives of the approximately 20 hostages believed to still be alive, some of whom are thought to be held within the city. He warned that Hamas militants might kill the hostages or "commit suicide with them."

In its official statement regarding the visit, the Israeli military confined itself to noting Halevi's remark that the army had created the conditions for the hostages' release through military pressure. Halevi, upon request, developed the operational plans for the seizure of Gaza City, which have been approved by the country's political leadership. Approximately 60,000 additional reserve soldiers have been called up for next September. Hamas announced last week its agreement to a new ceasefire proposal, which reports indicate is a modified version of Witkoff's proposal.

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Senior Israeli military official urges PM to accept ceasefire to protect hostages.

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