TOPSHOT – An image taken from Rafah reveals smoke billowing over Khan Yunis within the southern Gaza Strip throughout Israeli bombardment on January 19, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Picture by AFP) (Picture by -/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
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Hamas has proposed a ceasefire plan that might quiet the weapons in Gaza for four-and-a-half months resulting in an finish to the battle, in response to a proposal despatched final week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators and backed by the US and Israel.
Based on a draft doc seen by Reuters, the Hamas counterproposal envisions three phases lasting 45 days every.
The proposal would see militants trade remaining Israeli hostages they captured on Oct. 7 for Palestinian prisoners. The reconstruction of Gaza would start, Israeli forces would withdraw fully, and our bodies and stays can be exchanged.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in a single day in Israel after assembly the leaders of mediators Qatar and Egypt in essentially the most critical diplomatic push of the battle thus far geared toward reaching an prolonged truce. Particulars of Hamas’s counteroffer haven’t beforehand been reported.
Based on the Hamas counterproposal, all Israeli girls hostages, males beneath 19, the aged and sick can be launched through the first 45-day section in trade for the discharge of Palestinian girls and youngsters from Israeli jails.
Remaining male hostages can be launched through the second section, and stays exchanged within the third section. By the top of the third section, Hamas would count on the perimeters to have reached settlement on an finish to the battle.
The group, which governs Gaza, mentioned in an addendum to the proposal that it wished for the discharge of 1500 prisoners, a 3rd of whom it needed to pick out from the a listing of Palestinians handed life sentences by Israel.
The truce would additionally enhance the circulate of meals and different support to Gaza’s determined civilians who’re going through starvation and dire shortages of fundamental provides.
Israel started its navy offensive in Gaza after militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 folks and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Gaza’s Well being Ministry says not less than 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed killed in Israel’s navy marketing campaign, with hundreds extra feared buried beneath rubble.