Hamas presents ‘comprehensive’ Gaza truce proposal

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.”