In a significant development, Israel is reportedly considering ending the war in Gaza as part of a hostage deal, even if Hamas is not eradicated, according to officials. This marks a departure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's earlier stance of insisting on wiping out the Palestinian terror group. The new cease-fire proposal aims to secure the release of over 130 hostages remaining in Gaza in exchange for discussions on restoring sustainable calm in the Palestinian enclave.

Axios reports that two Israeli officials have revealed that this is the first time during the nearly seven-month-long war that Israel has shown openness to ending the conflict through a hostage deal. The proposal, formulated in collaboration with Egyptian mediators, calls for the release of 20 hostages in exchange for approximately 500 Palestinian prisoners over a three-week initial truce period.

The prioritization of the release of female, sick, and elderly hostages is a key aspect of the proposed deal. The number of hostages demanded by Israel has been reduced to half, following Hamas' claim that they do not possess the alleged 40 hostages who meet the specified criteria.

If the deal is accepted, a ten-week cease-fire would follow, allowing both sides to engage in further negotiations. Additionally, Israel's latest proposal includes allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza, which have been heavily damaged or destroyed during the conflict.

Hamas, whose demand for the Israeli Defense Force's withdrawal from Gaza has been a major point of contention during the cease-fire negotiations, is expected to deliver its response to mediators in Cairo on Monday. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to reach a deal with the terrorist group, as protests demanding the immediate release of the hostages continue at Tel Aviv's Hostage Square.

The situation has also raised concerns about the stability of Netanyahu's government. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, has suggested that the government should be dissolved if it prioritizes a potential invasion of Rafah over a hostage deal. However, he did not call for an immediate end to the war. Gantz stated, "If a responsible outline for the return of the hostages is reached with the backing of the entire security establishment, which does not entail the end of the war, and the ministers who led the government on Oct. 7 prevent it, the government will not have the right to continue to exist."

As the negotiations continue to unfold, tensions rise in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force is preparing for a potential invasion of Rafah, which is currently the most populous city in the region, housing over 1 million refugees. Egypt, sharing a border with Rafah, has warned of "catastrophic consequences" should the Israeli military move into the city, which is known to host four Hamas battalions.

The response from Hamas and the outcome of the ongoing negotiations will be crucial in determining the future of the conflict in Gaza.