According to a report by Al Jazeera, Israel has accepted a ceasefire proposal to end its conflict with Hamas. The plan was developed in Paris with the help of Qatari and Egyptian diplomats who mediated between the two parties.
Delegations from both Israel and Gaza have agreed to study the proposal and continue negotiations.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry confirmed Israel’s acceptance and stated that Hamas has responded positively.
The proposed ceasefire will be implemented in three stages, with the first phase involving a 40-day halt in fighting as Hamas releases female civilians, children, and elderly individuals it still holds captive. Additionally, during this period, there will be a resumption of large-scale deliveries of food and medicine to Gaza.
Hamas has proposed a three-stage plan that involves the release of captive Israeli soldiers and the bodies of Israeli troops in exchange for aid deliveries and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The plan also includes a cessation of military operations on both sides during these stages, with the number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed subject to negotiation.
However, this proposal falls short of Hamas’ initial demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
It poses a challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to continue fighting until achieving “total victory” over the militants, as it has garnered international condemnation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The US and UK, two of Israel’s staunchest supporters, have even hinted at recognizing an independent Palestinian state, which would be a political disaster for Netanyahu.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of Palestinians, including many women and children, losing their lives.
