Israel has described talks in Paris about a possible new ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of other hostages as “constructive” today.

However, there is still a “significant gap” between the various positions, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced after a meeting of CIA intelligence chief William Burns with representatives of Israel, Egypt and Qatar.

The participants wanted to meet again this week to continue the discussions, it was said. According to information from the New York Times, a draft text by the US government based on proposals from Israel and Islamist Hamas was discussed in Paris. According to the plan, the Palestinian extremists are to release more than 100 hostages and Israel should stop its military operation in the Gaza Strip for about two months.

First ceasefire should last 30 days

Already during a seven-day ceasefire in November, imprisoned Israeli children and women had been exchanged for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. But a little more than 130 people are said to be still in the power of the terrorists. Two children as well as 18 women and a 13-year-old are said to be among them. The oldest hostage is 85 years old, the youngest a year.

According to the draft, the fights are to be paused for 30 days in a first phase. During this time, Hamas should release female, elderly and injured hostage. In parallel, both sides should negotiate a second phase in which Israeli men and soldiers taken hostage would be released in return for another 30 days ceasefire.