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Hamas presents 'comprehensive' Gaza truce proposal

Friday, 15 March 2024 10:02 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 15 March 2024 10:07 AM ]

Palestinians stand amid the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on March 6, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has presented a ceasefire proposal that includes prisoner exchange and delivery of aid to the people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a statement late on Thursday, Hamas announced that it had handed the new proposal to mediators, Egypt and Qatar.

It said that the "comprehensive" plan involves a ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of aid, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the Israeli military's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

“The rights and concerns of our people shall remain our top priority,” it added.

The movement did not announce details of the plan, however, Reuters News Agency reported on Friday that the proposal entailed the release of women, including "female recruits”, children, elderly, and ill captives in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the initial exchange.

Hamas said it would agree on a date for a permanent ceasefire after the initial exchange of captives and detainees, and that a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be agreed upon after the first stage, according to the report.

All captives and detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan, according to the report.

The office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed any hope for a pause in the war in Gaza after it said the new Hamas position was based on "unrealistic demands."

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Some 2.3 million people in Gaza started Ramadan on Monday as the Israeli regime continued with a merciless onslaught that has killed more than 31,300 people since it started in early October after Hamas led an unprecedented operation against Israeli settlers and military forces.

International organizations had aimed for a ceasefire that could allow the delivery of aid into Gaza and the freedom of Palestinian prisoners in return for release of captives taken by Hamas during its October 7 blitz.

That comes as sources close to the indirect negotiations involving Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators say that Israel’s refusal to accept key conditions set by Hamas is the main obstacle in the way to reach a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.

Hamas authorities have said they would not agree to anything short of a permanent ceasefire while calling for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unconditional return of displaced people to their homes.

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