CAIRO (Reuters) – Israel has proposed a 45-day truce in Gaza to allow hostage releases and potentially begin indirect talks to end the war, while Hamas, which has already rejected one of its conditions – that it lay down its arms, says it is studying the plan.
Here are the main parts of the Israeli proposal, according to a copy obtained by Reuters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not commented directly on the plan:
– In the first week, Hamas would release 10 living hostages in exchange for 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and more than 1,000 Palestinians detained since Oct 7, 2023.
– Israeli forces would withdraw to positions they held in Gaza prior to the breakdown of the original ceasefire agreement on March 18 and Palestinians would be allowed the cross the Netzarim corridor area that separates northern and southern Gaza.
– Distribution of humanitarian aid would resume and work on rebuilding infrastructure would start.
– Talks would begin with Egyptian and Qatari mediators and the United States on a permanent end to the war.
– Subsequently, Hamas would provide proof of life of the remaining living hostages and deceased hostages would be released.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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