Hamas's comprehensive response to a proposed ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza includes three phases, each lasting 45 days.
• Also read: Israeli attacks on central Syria: 10 dead
• Also read: Riyadh criticizes Washington's statements about “normalization” with Israel
• Also read: Release of hostages: Qatar says it received a “positive” response from Hamas
The response would include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a massive humanitarian operation and the freedom of movement of people throughout the Gaza Strip.
Hamas' response to Israel's proposed agreement has been sent to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, the organization said.
CNN obtained a copy of Hamas' response and a senior Hamas official, Muhammad Nazzal, confirmed that it was authentic.
An Israeli official familiar with the negotiations told CNN on Wednesday that there was “zero chance” that Israel would accept Hamas's counterproposal.
First phase
According to CNN, this first step would include the release of Israeli hostages, including women and children (under 19 years of age) “who have not been drafted, as well as the elderly and the sick,” in exchange for a certain number of Palestinian prisoners,” Hamas said.
This would also include “intensifying humanitarian assistance, withdrawing forces from populated areas, beginning reconstruction work on hospitals, homes and facilities in all areas of the Gaza Strip and enabling the provision of humanitarian services to the United Nations and its agencies.” Build accommodation camps for the population.
The first phase would also include “a temporary cessation of military and aerial reconnaissance operations, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of the Gaza Strip to bring them parallel to the Line of Departure to facilitate the exchange of detainees.”
Second phase
The second phase aims to complete (indirect) discussions on the conditions necessary for the continuation of the mutual cessation of military operations and the return to a state of complete calm.
This phase would seek the release of all male hostages (civilian and military) held in Gaza “in exchange for a certain number of Palestinian prisoners”, continuing the humanitarian measures of the first phase, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the borders of all territories in the Gaza Strip and the complete reconstruction of homes, facilities and infrastructure that were destroyed in all areas of the Gaza Strip,” said the document obtained by CNN.
Third phase
The third phase would aim to “exchange the bodies and remains of the deceased from both sides upon their arrival and identification,” while humanitarian assistance and reconstruction continue.
Finally, Hamas proposes that the guarantors of the agreement should be Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations. The United States is not a guarantor.