Hamas presented mediators from Qatar and Egypt with a three-phase plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange agreement, a well-placed Palestinian source told Anadolu today.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hamas’ proposal consists of three phases, each lasting six weeks.
“The first phase involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from various cities, as well as from Rashid and Salah al-Din streets to allow the return of displaced persons and the delivery of aid,” the source added.
The source said the second phase involves the release of Israeli women, children and elderly prisoners held in Gaza in exchange for the release of more than 700 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The third phase would involve the release of Israeli soldiers trapped in Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire would be announced before the exchange of soldiers begins.
Hamas has proposed to Israel the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners, 30 of whom are serving life sentences, in exchange for every female member of the Israeli army currently held by the Palestinian resistance group.
The Palestinian group Hamas said late Thursday that it had presented Qatari and Egyptian mediators with a comprehensive vision for a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
Hamas said the group’s position included a ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of aid, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, as well as a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel.
Shortly after Hamas’s announcement, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Qatar had delivered the group’s response to Israel.
Israel’s army radio quoted an Israeli official as saying that Hamas’ response was being considered.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hamas’ demands in the latest offer as unreasonable, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Israel believes there are 134 Israelis in Gaza.
Genocide-accused Israel launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 last year, and since then more than 31,490 Palestinians have been killed.
On January 26, following a genocide lawsuit filed by the Republic of South Africa, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must refrain from any actions related to the killing, attacks and destruction of the residents of the Gaza Strip and take all measures to prevent genocide.
Attacks, however, continue unabated, and the delivery of aid remains insufficient to address the humanitarian disaster, AA writes.
