Hamas proposes 3-stage plan for Gaza cease-fire, prisoner releases

ISTANBUL (AA) – Palestinian resistance group Hamas has proposed a 3-stage plan for a Gaza cease-fire that includes a 135-day pause in fighting in return for prisoner releases, according to a Palestinian source.

Qatar, Egypt and the US had confirmed earlier on Tuesday that they had received Hamas’ response to a framework agreement for a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap with Israel.

“Hamas’ response includes a 3-stage plan, each lasting 45 days during which military operations would be completely halted on both sides and prisoners and remains would be exchanged,” the source said.

In the first stage, Hamas will release women, children, elderly and sick people held by the group in exchange for Israel setting free 1,500 Palestinian detainees, the source said.

“The 1st stage of the possible Gaza deal includes the entry of no fewer than 500 aid trucks, the return of displaced people and free movement across Gaza,” the source added.

The Palestinian group also demands that at least 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents be allowed to enter the enclave during the first stage, the source said.

Hamas’ response also calls for halting Israeli settler incursions into the flashpoint sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and the return to the pre-2002 status, under which illegal Israeli settlers were not allowed to perform rituals at the site.

“Hamas conditioned concluding negotiations on ending the war before the end of the second stage,” the source added.

Israel said it is still reviewing the Palestinian group’s response to the framework deal.

Hamas is believed to be holding around 136 Israelis.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on Gaza on October 7, killing at least 27,708 Palestinians and injuring 67,174 others. The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.