Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 65 Palestinians

Egypt has put forward a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources told Reuters yesterday, as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours.

The proposal, made last week, follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas last Tuesday, effectively ending a two-month period of relative calm.

Health officials said Israel has killed nearly 700 Palestinians since it resumed its attacks, including at least 400 women and children.

The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week.

Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 of them thought to be still alive.

Both US and Hamas agreed to the proposal, the security sources said, but Israel has not yet responded. A Hamas official didn't confirm the proposed offer , but said that "several proposals are being discussed with the mediators.