Leaders of Hamas Movement in Gaza are yet to reply to the Israeli paper proposed by Biden, which is serving as a counteroffer to the one mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt on May 6.
Mediators expect to recieve Hamas response by Saturday. Middle East Eye obtained a copy of the ceasefire proposal made by ‘Israel’ and passed by mediators to Hamas last week.
The deal stipulates that ‘Israel’ consents to a “temporary cessation of military operations” for a period of 42 days. This cessation is intended to pave the way for open-ended negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire.
The deal outlined the general principles for an agreement between the Israeli side and the Palestinian side in Gaza on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and restoring a sustainable calm.
The purpose of this framework is to secure the release of all Israeli hostages, both civilian and military, held in the Gaza Strip—whether alive or deceased—who have been detained over various periods. This would be in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli custody.
Additionally, the framework aims to establish a sustainable calm that would lead to a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the reconstruction of the region, the opening of border crossings, and the facilitation of both the movement of people and the transfer of goods.
The framework agreement consists three stages which are interconnected. The First stage is 42 days and it includes the Temporary cessation of military operations by both Parties and the withdrawal of Israeli forces eastwards away from densely populated areas along the borders in all areas of the Gaza strip including Gaza valley (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout) as mentioned below.
Further, a temporary cessation of aerial movement (military and surveillance) in the Gaza strip for 10 hours daily, and for 12 hours daily during days where exchange of hostages and prisoners will take place.
Also, the return of the internally displaced to their place of residence and the withdrawal from Gaza valley (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout).
On day 7- after the release of 7 of the female hostages- Israeli forces will completely withdraw from Rasheed street eastwards to Salah ad Din street, and the complete dismantling of military sites and installations in the area, the commencement of return of internally displaced to their place of residence (without carrying arms while returning), the freedom of movement of the population in all areas of the Gaza strip, and the entry of humanitarian aid through Rashid street from day 1 without restrictions.
On day 22, Israeli Forces will withdraw from the central Gaza strip (especially Natsarim axis and Kuwait roundabout axis) eastwards of Salahuddin Street to an area along the border, the complete dismantling of military sites and installations the continuation of return of internally displaced to their place of residence (without carrying arms while returning) in northern Gaza strip, and the freedom movement of the population in all areas of the Gaza Strip.
Starting from day 1, the entry of increased and adequate humanitarian aid and relief and fuel (600 trucks dally to include 50 trucks of fuel, 300 of which to the north), including fuel necessary for the operation of the power plant, trade and civilian equipment necessary to remove rubble, and the rehabilitation and operation of hospitals, medical centers and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza strip, and the continuation of the above mentioned throughout the stages of the agreement.
During the exchange of hostages and prisoners’ stage, Hamas shall release 33 of the Israeli hostages (living and human remains) who are women (civilians and soldiers), children (under 19 years who are not soldiers), elderly (above 50 years) and ill and wounded civilians, in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers.
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