Egypt Daily News – At a time when attention is turning toward a ceasefire in the Strip, the New York Times has reported, citing sources, details of the Gaza deal between Israel and Hamas.
An Israeli security source and a Palestinian source close to Hamas said the deal will include the release of ten living Israeli detainees and the transfer of eighteen injured individuals, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The release of detainees and the transfer of bodies will take place in five stages during a ceasefire expected to last sixty days.
According to the Israeli source, under the plan Hamas will be asked to refrain from holding filmed release ceremonies, as it did when releasing detainees during a ceasefire reached earlier this year.
Hamas is considering the proposal
In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said it is consulting on new ceasefire proposals offered by mediators, aiming to reach a deal that ends the conflict and ensures an Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.
On the movement’s official Telegram page, the statement said: “The brotherly mediators are exerting intensive efforts to bridge the gap between the parties and arrive at a framework agreement and launch a serious round of negotiations.” It added: “We are dealing with high responsibility, holding national consultations to discuss the mediators’ proposals, in order to reach an agreement that guarantees ending the aggression, achieving withdrawal, and urgently relieving our people in the Gaza Strip.”
“Positive signs”
Meanwhile, CBS reported, citing its sources, that “Israeli officials are open to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.”
Talk of former President Donald Trump’s statement that Israel had agreed to the necessary terms to finalize a sixty-day ceasefire in Gaza has sparked new hopes in the Strip.
Trump said in a social media post Tuesday: “Representatives on my behalf held a long and constructive meeting with the Israelis today regarding the Gaza deal.” He explained that Israel “agreed to the terms needed to finalize a 60-day ceasefire, and during that period we will work with all parties to end the war.”
He continued: “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked hard toward peace, will present this final proposal.”
He concluded by saying: “I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas accepts this deal, because the situation will not improve, it will only get worse.”
