Hamas is demanding the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners for every female Israeli soldier freed from Gaza, according to a new report, as the two sides weigh the latest ceasefire deal presented by US, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators.
The latest deal, presented on Tuesday, calls for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza that would release all civilian hostages and IDF soldiers in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, but Hamas allegedly deviated from the agreed ratio, the Wall Street Journal reports. .
Similar to the November ceasefire agreement that saw more than 100 hostages released, the new deal calls for one Israeli hostage to be released for every three Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas, however, has demanded 150 prisoners for every female soldier. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh also claimed that the final deal must include “the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip,” Al Jazeera reported.
Neither condition is a non-starter for Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that his country will not bow to such specific demands.
Israel considered key points laid out in the new hostage deal as protesters continued to demand their freedom in Tel Aviv on Thursday. REUTERS The current proposal calls for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza. Ismael Mohamad/UPI/Shutterstock
“We will not remove the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists,” Netanyahu insisted during an appearance in the West Bank on Tuesday.
“None of this is going to happen. What will happen? Absolute victory,” he added.
The deal, which remains up in the air, is broken down into three phases that call for Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza for six weeks to allow the exchange to take place.
The terrorist group will release all civilian hostages, prioritizing children, women, the elderly and those in need of medical attention. The first phase will also see Hamas release the bodies of civilian hostages believed to have died in custody.
Israel estimates that 136 hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 27 people. AP
The second phase will see the release of female Israeli soldiers in Gaza, with Hamas stating that male soldiers will also be included in the second phase.
Hamas has yet to make demands on how many hostages should be released for the male soldiers, but previously suggested that members of the elite Nukhba force captured on October 7 should be included in the exchange, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported.
The second phase also calls for an increase in aid deliveries to Gaza, as well as the restoration of basic utility services.
The ceasefire agreement will also call for an increase in aid sent to Palestinian refugees. REUTERS Israel says the war will not end until Hamas is completely destroyed. Getty Images
The third phase will see the release of the bodies of dead Israeli soldiers in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners.
Israel estimates that Hamas has 109 hostages held throughout Gaza, as well as the bodies of 27 people who died in custody.
The details set out in the proposal are still a framework that negotiators say will act as a step in the right direction for a proper deal to be presented to Israel and Hamas by next week.
“We hope that in the near future we can cross the finish line; we’re closer than ever,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
Hamas officials have gathered in Cairo to discuss the deal, with Israel’s war cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposal.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
