Almost a month after Israel recommenced its aerial and ground offensives in Gaza to compel Hamas to release the remaining hostages, the Palestinian militant organization announced it had received a new ceasefire proposal from Israel.
A high-ranking Hamas official indicated that the group would “most likely” provide a response within 48 hours.
The proposal was conveyed to the group’s delegation in Cairo over the weekend by Egyptian officials, who are acting as mediators in the ceasefire discussions.
What does the proposal entail?
In exchange, Israel would release 1,231 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli prisons and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory, which has been under a full blockade since March 2.
During Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Palestinian militants took 251 hostages, with 58 still being held in Gaza, including 34 that the Israeli military claims are deceased.
A previous ceasefire, initiated on January 19, resulted in the release of 33 hostages in exchange for around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners but collapsed two months later.
The latest proposal also specifies that any release of hostages take place privately, differing from earlier public ceremonies in Gaza that faced significant criticism in Israel.
What is the suggested timeline?
The Hamas official stated that the Israeli proposal includes the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on the first day of the ceasefire as a “gesture of goodwill”.
Mr. Alexander is the only living hostage who holds U.S. citizenship.
On the second day, Hamas would exchange five additional hostages for 66 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, along with 611 Gazans arrested during the ongoing conflict.
On the third day, discussions would commence regarding post-war scenarios, including the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian factions in exchange for a lasting ceasefire.
Yael and Adi Alexander, the parents of hostage Edan Alexander, who was taken on October 7
Hamas has asserted that maintaining its arms is non-negotiable.
During the second week of the ceasefire, Hamas would release four more living hostages in exchange for 54 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and another 500 Gaza detainees.
Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan 11, reported that the proposal also requires Hamas to return the bodies of 16 hostages on the 20th day of the ceasefire.
What is Hamas’s stance?
Hamas negotiators traveled to Cairo last week to receive the proposal, Suhail al-Hindi, a member of the group’s political bureau, informed AFP today.
The official who spoke to AFP the day prior mentioned that “Hamas will most likely send its response to the mediators within the next 48 hours, as the movement is still undergoing comprehensive consultations… within its leadership structure, as well as with resistance factions, to establish a united position”.
Read more: Hamas likely to respond to truce proposal within 48 hours
He added that discussions were ongoing, emphasizing that Hamas is “eager to conclude the aggression and the war” but would require assurances from Egypt, Qatar, and U.S. mediators that Israel would adhere to its commitments under the agreement.
“Hamas has no issue with the number of prisoners and is prepared to release them all at once or in batches,” he noted.
What is Israel’s reaction?
Israel has remained quiet regarding the latest proposal.
However, the advocacy group Tikva Forum of Hostages’ Families, which represents a small faction of families of hostages pushing for continued military pressure, stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the nation is indeed pursuing the release of 10 living captives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states that Israel is seeking the release of 10 hostages
According to the group, Mr. Netanyahu spoke with Ditza Or, the mother of hostage Avinatan Or, late yesterday and confirmed that Mr. Alexander was included in the proposed exchange.
In response, she remarked that “there is a moral obligation to return everyone together in one stage and on one bus,” the group added.
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