Qatari and Egyptian mediators have proposed a new ceasefire framework to Hamas that includes a long-term truce, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the BBC reported Monday, citing a senior Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations.
The reported plan envisions a five- to seven-year truce and the creation of a new governing authority in Gaza, which could replace Hamas. According to the BBC, Hamas has signaled a willingness to hand over control to another Palestinian body, provided it gains approval at both the national and regional levels.
There has been no confirmation or comment on the proposal from the Israeli government. A senior Hamas delegation is expected in Cairo in the coming days to deliberate on the initiative.
This comes shortly after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal that included a six-week ceasefire and the return of hostages in exchange for disarmament.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are released.
As of Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued no public response to the renewed mediation efforts.
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Israel should announce with the support of the US that Gaza will not be rebuilt until all the hostages are released, Hamas disarms and is replaced by another governing force and its leaders leave Gaza. This way its not Israel making these demands of Hamas but the entire arab world along with the Palestinians themselves. Instead Israel’s leaders are still deluded by the idea that they can destroy Hamas themselves, something they would have long ago achieved if Hamas wasn’t so easily able to replace its fighters who are killed.