Ceasefire for 5-7 years - Egypt and Qatar offered Israel and Hamas new agreement
Photo: Hamas militants (Getty Images)
Egypt and Qatar, acting as mediators in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and a deal on hostages, have made a new proposal to the parties. This proposal includes, among other things, a long-term ceasefire, according to the BBC.
Representatives from Cairo and Doha proposed to Israel and Hamas a ceasefire agreement lasting 5 to 7 years, with the official end of the war, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces (IDF) from the Gaza Strip, and the release of "all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails."
This proposal was shared with a British publication by a senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations.
It is important to note that the proposal does not clarify whether non-Israeli hostages, currently held by Hamas, would also be released. It is believed that two hostages, Thai and Nepalese citizens, are still alive. Additionally, there are no details about the return of the bodies of two Thais and a Tanzanian.
A Palestinian source told the BBC that Hamas expressed willingness to give up control of the enclave to any agreed-upon Palestinian entity, whether the Palestinian Authority or a newly established administrative body.
The Palestinian official also mentioned that the mediation efforts are serious and that the Hamas terrorist group has demonstrated "unprecedented flexibility."
Meanwhile, the British broadcaster adds that Israel has not yet commented on the plan, and a "high-ranking Hamas delegation" will travel to Cairo for further consultations.
Gaza ceasefire
On January 19, Israel and the Hamas terrorist group agreed to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and engage in the exchange of hostages and detainees.
Both sides held several rounds of hostage exchanges earlier this year, but in March, Hamas refused to continue the exchanges, and the Israeli army resumed operations in the enclave.
At the end of March, Jerusalem announced its readiness to resume the ceasefire in Gaza, and the Israeli side set certain conditions for Hamas. The group, in turn, has not agreed to Israel's proposals and has put forward its own conditions.
On April 15, it was revealed that Hamas rejected the latest Israeli proposal, particularly rejecting the demand for its disarmament. The Israeli side, however, emphasizes that Hamas should not have control over the Gaza Strip in the post-war period.
