Dubai, 16 March 2024 (TDI): The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, has shared a ceasefire proposal declaring the possible release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal has been shared with Egypt and Qatar as the negotiators of the proposal as well as with the US.
According to the deal, the Israeli hostages shall include women, children, elderly and ill hostages. Whereas, more than 700 Palestinian prisoners including those charged with serving life sentences have been nominated to be released in exchange.
Both Egypt and Qatar have been trying to secure a ceasefire deal. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blatantly declared the Gaza truce proposal based on “unrealistic demands” by Hamas.
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President El-Sisi declared truce as ‘Biggest quantity of aid’
“We are talking about reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi shared with Egypt’s police academy.
Secretary-General Barghouti rates it as ‘Flexible and forthcoming’
The Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouti has proclaimed the said proposal to be “much more flexible and forthcoming” when compared to the preceding truce proposals.
“They made compromises about the number of prisoners to be released and the main goal is to make a block deal that includes everything,” he said.
Additionally, “that ends with the Israeli occupation of Gaza and release of substantial number of political prisoners.”
Nevertheless, relocation of the displaced population is the real bone of contention in these negotiations.
“Hamas and the resistance movement insist people who have been evicted by force from their homes will be allowed to go back to the north.” While, “Israel wants to discriminate against them. They want to allow women and children, but not men, and cut every family into two pieces, which is, of course, unacceptable.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared as being ‘Prepared for the operation’
Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled about the possible Rafah offensive in his statement cited as a part of the latest report from the Israeli war cabinet meeting.
“The Israeli military is prepared for the operation and to evacuate the civilian population,” the report mentioned.
Moreover, the Israeli military has been ordered by the Prime Minister to prepare for the Rafah offensive since February, 2024.
Firstly, the plan involves evacuating the areas already crowded and overwhelmed due to the population displaced from north and centre of the Gaza enclave without mentioning any further safe location. Secondly, it aims at destroying four Hamas battalions allegedly stationed and operating from there.
Although, a similar truce was expected in Paris in February, 2024 involving a 40-days pause and hostage-prisoner exchange.
Hamas declared the negotiations failed as Israel rejected a permanent ceasefire with immediate withdrawal of military from the Strip thereafter.
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