Release of 35 Hostages in Exchange for a 35-Day Ceasefire; Mossad Presents Hostage Exchange Plan to Israeli War Cabinet

David Barnea, head of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, has presented a 9-point plan for the release of hostages held by Hamas to the Israeli war cabinet; a potential plan that could lead to the phased release of 136 hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli Channel 12 reports that under this plan, in the first phase of the agreement, 35 hostages will be released in exchange for a 35-day ceasefire; one day of ceasefire for each hostage, with this first phase including the release of women, the sick, the injured, and elderly hostages. According to the report, a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip could be extended for another week to allow for discussions about the second phase of hostage releases, which would include members of civilian defense units and male hostages, whom Hamas refers to as 'fighters.' Channel 12 reports that the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel to be released under this plan is unspecified, but Israel is willing to release a large number of prisoners with minor offenses to keep more serious Hamas criminals in prison; prisoners that Hamas insists must be released. Earlier on Wednesday, Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House, calling for more efforts from Doha and increased pressure on Hamas to release all hostages held by this Palestinian group. The Qatari Prime Minister, who traveled to Washington for negotiations regarding the war in the Gaza Strip, responded to Sullivan's request by stating, 'Such requests are futile and impossible, as Qatar has little influence over Hamas and is merely hosting the leaders of this group in Doha.' William Burns, head of the CIA, had previously met on Sunday, January 28, with the Qatari Prime Minister, the head of Israel's Mossad, and the head of Egypt's intelligence in Paris to continue negotiations that Israel, Qatar, and the U.S. described as 'constructive.' Hamas announced on Tuesday, January 10, that it had received a new proposal for establishing a ceasefire and releasing hostages in Gaza. Israel, the United States, the European Union, and several other countries consider Hamas, which is supported by the Iranian government, a terrorist organization. Informed sources: The CIA head is discussing a second agreement for the release of hostages with Israeli officials. Efforts for the release of hostages; the CIA head and officials from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are meeting in Europe. Mediators are working towards a new agreement; the proposal on the table: a two-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of 100 hostages. The head of Mossad has arrived in Paris to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. The U.S. has asked Qatar to exert more pressure on Hamas for the release of hostages; Qatar: We have little influence over Hamas. Hamas has announced it received a new proposal for 'establishing a ceasefire and releasing hostages.'