Rome, 2 Mar (LaPresse) – A few minutes after the end of the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel backed the US proposal to see the ceasefire with Hamas extended until Ramadan and Passover, during which all hostages could potentially be released. The Times of Israel reports this, pointing out that Ramadan, which began on Friday evening, lasts until 29 March. Passover ends on 20 April. Half of the hostages – dead and alive – will be released on the first day of the extended ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says. The remaining hostages will be released at the end of the period if a permanent ceasefire is reached, says the PM's office, pointing out that this is a plan proposed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. But Hamas said no: the Islamist movement rejected the Witkoff plan and demanded to move to the second phase of the ceasefire with Israel.