Hamas studying three-phase Gaza truce plan

Hamas has confirmed that it is studying a three-phase proposal for a truce in Gaza, while hardline members of the Israeli government have threatened to collapse the coalition if any deal is not to their liking.

The Palestinian group’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh confirmed on Tuesday that he is studying the proposal, thrashed out in Paris over the weekend, to halt the war and enable the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners.

Haniyeh said in a statement that the group is “open to discussing any serious and practical initiatives or ideas, provided that they lead to a comprehensive cessation of aggression”.

Hamas also said that the plan must ensure the “complete withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip”.

The group’s leadership, he said, had received an invitation to Cairo to reach an “integrated vision” on the framework agreement.

Three phases

In a statement sent to Reuters, Hamas said the proposal involved three stages. The plan has been sent to Gaza to obtain the opinion of Hamas leaders there.

“The Hamas leadership will meet to discuss the paper and express its final opinion on it,” the statement said.

Sources told the news agency that the first phase would consist of a pause in fighting and the release of elderly, civilian women and children hostages.

Major deliveries of food and medicine to Gaza, facing a ruinous humanitarian crisis, would resume.

The second phase would see the releases of female Israeli soldiers and another increase in aid deliveries and restoration of utility services to Gaza. The third phase would see the release of the bodies of killed Israeli troops in exchange for Palestinian prisoners freed, two sources said.