Egyptian officials said on Saturday, March 16 (March 26), that negotiations to maintain a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume on Sunday, March 27, in the capital Qatar.
This is the first time that Israeli officials and Hamas leaders have held indirect talks since the beginning of Ramadan. International mediators wanted a six-week ceasefire before the beginning of Ramadan, but Hamas insisted that any agreement should lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a request that Israel rejected.
However, in recent days, both sides have taken steps aimed at resuming negotiations.
Two Egyptian officials, one of whom is participating in the negotiations, said in the report that Hamas has submitted a new proposal for a three-stage plan to the mediators.
The first phase, the truce is for six weeks, including the release of 35 female, sick and elderly Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of 350 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
At this stage, Hamas will also release at least five female Israeli soldiers in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners for each of them. At this stage, Hamas should include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the two main roads in Gaza, and the displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes.
In the second stage, with a permanent ceasefire, Hamas will release the remaining Israeli soldiers who have been taken hostage, in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners.
According to this Egyptian official, in the third stage, Hamas will hand over the bodies of the hostages it has in its possession, in exchange for lifting the blockade of Gaza and allowing the reconstruction to begin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the three-stage plan “unrealistic.” However, he agreed to send Israeli negotiators to Qatar for further talks.
Egyptian officials have said that the talks are expected to resume after noon on Sunday 27th, although it may be postponed until Monday.
Netanyahu’s government has always opposed the cease-fire and insists that it must first achieve its declared goal, that is, “the destruction of Hamas.”
Netanyahu’s office also announced on Friday the 25th that it has confirmed the military operation on Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, where about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have taken refuge.
The United States and other countries have warned that such an operation could be disastrous, but Israel says that it will carry out the operation to destroy the members of Hamas based in this city.
After the attack by Hamas on the 7th of October last year, which resulted in the death of around 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, many Palestinians fled to Rafah.
Netanyahu’s office has said that Operation Rafah will include the evacuation of civilians, but has not provided details or a timetable. The Israeli army said on Tuesday that it intends to move civilians to safe areas in central Gaza, which it calls “humanitarian areas”.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken said on Friday: “We need to see a clear and workable plan” to ensure the protection of innocent people in Rafah against Israeli attacks.