In recent discussions in Paris aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas has been presented with a draft proposal outlining a halt in military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli captives.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that Israel has agreed to a military pause in Gaza during the month of Ramadan, coinciding with Hamas’s review of the proposal draft.
According to a statement given to Reuters this Tuesday, the initial phase of the agreement, as per the draft, will last 40 days, with a prisoner exchange rate set at ten to one.
Key elements of the proposal include:
- A complete cessation of military activities by both parties.
- An 8-hour daily halt in aerial reconnaissance over Gaza.
- The release of all Israeli detainees, including women, children under 19, individuals over 50, and the sick, in exchange for a specified number of Palestinian prisoners, with approximately 400 Palestinian detainees being released for 40 Israeli captives categorized under humanitarian grounds.
- The gradual return of all displaced civilians, excluding military-age males, to the Northern Gaza Strip.
- Following the start of phase one, Israel will reposition its forces away from densely populated areas in Gaza.
- A commitment to allowing 500 trucks of humanitarian aid daily.
- The provision of 200,000 tents and 60,000 mobile housing units.
- Approval for the rehabilitation of hospitals and repair of bakeries in Gaza, including the urgent entry of necessary equipment and fuel shipments as agreed upon.
- Israel’s consent to the entry of heavy machinery and equipment for debris removal and other humanitarian purposes, with the necessary fuel shipments provided as per agreed quantities, ensures that these resources are not used to threaten Israel.
- It’s important to note that the arrangements agreed upon in the first phase do not apply to the second phase, which will be subject to separate future negotiations.
