Hamas has proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan lasting 135 days to exchange hostages and lead to an end to hostilities in Gaza.
In phase one, all hostages, including women, men under 19, the elderly and the sick, will be released, in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. Tel Aviv must withdraw its troops from populated areas during this phase.
The male hostages will be released in phase two. Hamas has stressed that the parties must agree on demands to end hostilities before this phase begins.
In an additional part of the proposal, Hamas wants Israel to release 1,500 prisoners, one-third of whom are selected from a list of Palestinians sentenced to life in prison by Israel.
Palestinian children amid ruins in Rafah city, southern Gaza on February 7. Photo: AFP
Hamas also demanded increased food supplies and other aid for the desperate people in Gaza, who are facing famine and severe shortages of basic necessities.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on February 6 after meeting with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, in the most serious diplomatic effort yet to reach a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters )
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