Reuters revealed details of Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which was submitted to Qatari and Egyptian mediators yesterday. According to Reuters, Hamas's proposal consists of two phases, with the final deadline for a permanent ceasefire to be agreed upon after the completion of the first phase, and a deadline for withdrawal from the Gaza Strip also to be determined after the first phase.
The first phase of the proposal includes "the release of women, children, the elderly, and the sick among the Israelis in exchange for the release of between 700 to 1,000 Palestinians." It stipulates that "all detainees from both sides will be released in the second phase," and the proposal also includes Israeli female soldiers.
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar, the three countries mediating between the fighting parties, continue their efforts to reach an agreement for a ceasefire lasting six weeks, during which Hamas would release some of the Israeli hostages it holds in Gaza in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
On Thursday evening, a knowledgeable source within Hamas stated that the movement provided the Egyptian and Qatari mediators with a response that "they will inform the U.S. administration about." The source explained that "the response allows for great flexibility in reaching a ceasefire agreement, and there is flexibility in the movement’s position, especially regarding the prisoner exchange file in terms of numbers and categories to achieve a dignified exchange deal."
He added that "regarding the military withdrawal file, the response included a request for Israeli forces to withdraw from all populated areas and cities, allowing the return of displaced persons without restrictions in the first phase."
For its part, Netanyahu's office, in a brief statement on Thursday evening, claimed that Hamas "continues to cling to its unrealistic demands" and that an update on ceasefire talks would be presented "tomorrow" Friday to the security cabinet.
