On March 2, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said on Sunday morning that Israel will adopt the proposal of US Special Envoy Witkov for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan and Passover. The previously agreed first phase of the ceasefire was due to expire on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that on the first day of Witkov's proposal, half of the hostages held in Gaza, both alive and dead, will be released, adding that the remaining hostages will also be released after a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached. Netanyahu's office added that Witkov made the proposal to extend the current ceasefire after realizing that permanent ceasefire negotiations would take more time. Hamas spokesperson Kassem said earlier Saturday that Hamas rejected Israel's "idea" of extending the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire, but did not explicitly mention Witkov's plan.