Israel’s spy agency, Mossad has received Hamas’s counterproposal to a truce deal presented by Qatari and Egyptian mediators after negotiations with Israel and the U.S.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office said that its details “are being thoroughly evaluated.”
In a statement, Hamas said that it responded “in a positive spirit, ensuring a comprehensive and complete ceasefire, ending the aggression against our people, ensuring relief, shelter, and reconstruction, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and achieving a prisoner swap.”
The Palestinian group suggests a three-stage ceasefire plan in response to the offer made by the mediators.
According to the counterproposal, all Israeli women captives, males under 19, the elderly and the sick would be released during the first 45-day phase in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails.
he remaining male captives would be freed during the second phase, and the remains of those killed in fighting exchanged in the third phase.
By the end of the third phase, Hamas would expect the sides to have reached an agreement on an end to the war.
Hamas said in an addendum to the proposal it wants the release of 1,500 prisoners, one-third of whom it will select from a list of Palestinians handed life sentences by Israel.
The truce would also increase the flow of food and other aid to Gaza.
Netanyahu, who has yet to comment directly on the response, said, “we are on the way to the total victory and we will not stop”.
Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel launched air strikes and a ground offensive that have killed at least 27,585 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 11,000 sick and wounded people are in dire circumstances and require urgent evacuation from the besieged strip in order to receive proper medical care to save their lives.
Some hospitals in northern Gaza are partially functioning, but medical supplies, fuel and the return of medical teams is all urgently needed in the south, the ministry also said.
Meanwhile, 350,000 patients in Gaza are in need of life-saving medicine, the ministry added.
Timelines Specified
Speaking to a news agency, Muhhamad Nazzal, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, said that the draft truce deal worked on by Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the U.S was received by Hamas following the Paris conference.
He asserted that Hamas’ response was more specific and provided deadlines.
“These timelines were specified by Hamas itself,” Nazzal stated.
He stressed that among the details of Hamas’ counterproposal, “none can be compromised.”
“The Israeli killing machine must be brought to a halt. We wish to see Israeli occupation forces’ withdrawal from the Gaza Strip entirely. Our response is realistic and our demands are reasonable.”
Muhhamad Nazzal
He also said that Hamas fears Israeli officials are “not seriously committed to this deal,” and that is why it put the permanent ceasefire in the second stage of the agreement, just to see if they are.
Moreover, Nazzal disclosed that the Palestinian group has chosen five parties to act as “guarantors” if a truce deal with the Israelis comes to fruition, namely, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations.
“We expect a negotiation to start. Once it starts, any obstacles can be ironed out along the way to reach a final agreement whereby we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s,” Nazzal remarked.
He responded sharply when asked about President Joe Biden’s comment that his group’s counterproposal was “a little over the top.”
“We do not expect the American President to come up with a better statement. He is totally biased and was part of the war waged on Gaza.
“He provided the political and legal cover for the Israelis and has supported all of Netanyahu’s moves. They worked hand in hand, providing military and financial assistance.”
Muhhamad Nazzal
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