Tel Aviv/Gaza, 2 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The Israeli government said it has endorsed a US proposal for an extension of the ceasefire with Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In return for Hamas releasing hostages, the ceasefire would be extended for the duration of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover festival, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a security meeting held late on Saturday.

According to the Times of Israel, Ramadan this year ends on March 29 while Passover ends on April 19.

Israel says Hamas has not accepted the proposal yet.

Half of the hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip – both living and dead – would be released on the first day of the extended ceasefire, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.

The remaining hostages would be released at the end of the period if a permanent ceasefire is achieved.

The statement said that the plan had been proposed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas has so far rejected it, Netanyahu's office said, adding that if the group were to change its position, Israel would immediately begin negotiations on all the details of the plan.

The first phase of a fragile ceasefire that had temporarily paused the 15-month-long war between Israel and the Hamas in Gaza ended on Saturday, which this year also marks the start of Ramadan for hundreds of millions of Muslims including in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

The beginning of the fasting month is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, which can vary by country.

Ramadan is considered a time of heightened tensions, particularly in the occupied Palestinian Territories and Jerusalem.

Passover is celebrated according to the Hebrew calender and which commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It lasts eight days.

Photo: MIA archive