After Palestinian factions announced submitting their feedback on the proposed ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip for months, mediators responded.
Qatar, Egypt, and America
According to a Qatari/Egyptian statement Tuesday evening, the mediators received responses from Hamas and Islamic Jihad regarding the US proposal for a ceasefire deal and the exchange of prisoners and detainees.
Both sides affirmed that their joint mediation efforts with America continue until reaching an agreement.
The mediators also added that they will study the response and coordinate with the concerned parties regarding the next steps, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
White House to “Al Arabiya/Al Hadath”
Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that Washington is reviewing Hamas’ response to the ceasefire proposal in Gaza. A source told “Al Arabiya/Al Hadath” that Washington is assessing Hamas’ response to the proposal.
It emphasized that if the deal is implemented in the first stage, fighting will cease in all of the Gaza Strip.
It also noted that the deal allows for the safe release of prisoners and the entry of up to 600 trucks daily into the besieged area.
Regarding the second stage of the proposal, it indicated that it could lead to a complete cessation of hostilities. It stressed that if the deal is struck, there will be a ceasefire for at least 6 weeks.
This comes after Hamas, outside Gaza, announced its acceptance of the Security Council’s decision to ceasefire and revealed some details.
Egypt and Qatar Receive Hamas’ Response to Ceasefire Proposal
Osama Hamdan, a Hamas leader, stated that Hamas provided some remarks on the proposal to the mediators. A member of Hamas’ political bureau added that the movement submitted its response to Egypt and Qatar, according to “Axios.”
He also mentioned that Hamas sent its official response to the Israeli proposal regarding the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of prisoners. He clarified that Hamas affirmed the movement’s stance that any agreement must end the war on Gaza, withdraw Israeli forces, rebuild the Strip, and achieve a serious prisoner exchange deal.
Meanwhile, a joint delegation from Hamas and Islamic Jihad delivered the factions’ response to the mediators in Qatar on Tuesday during a meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, informing Cairo of its details. It emphasized that the priority is in the interest of the Palestinian people, with the urgent need to completely halt the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, according to a joint press statement from the two movements.
The Three Stages
It is worth noting that Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, revealed that the American proposal includes continuing the ceasefire as long as negotiations continue.
She outlined the three stages of the agreement, starting with explaining the details of the first stage included in the US decision, which is an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities with the release of prisoners, including women and the elderly, and the return of some prisoners’ remains.
As for the second stage, it includes a permanent cessation of hostilities in exchange for releasing all Israeli prisoners who are still in Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip.
The third stage will begin with a major reconstruction plan for several years and the return of the remains of any deceased Israeli prisoners still in Gaza.
In addition, this Security Council decision opposes any attempt to alter the population composition of the Gaza Strip, including any action that would diminish the territory’s lands.
