Israel, Hamas Studying Three-Stage Ceasefire Deal That Would See Hostages Released

Negotiators from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar reportedly drafted a proposal at a weekend meeting in Paris, outlining a ceasefire plan for Israel and Hamas.

The three-phase proposal would require Israel to cease all military operations in Gaza for six weeks as Hamas sets all civilian hostages free.

The second phase would involve Hamas releasing all female Israeli military personnel in exchange for humanitarian aid being allowed into Gaza. Officials added that during this stage, the agreement would guarantee the renewed operation of hospitals, sanitation services and bakeries in the strip.

And the final stage — dependent on the success of the previous two phases — would see the release of male soldiers and the bodies of dead hostages.

Hamas Prisoner Demand

Efforts to negotiate a second ceasefire since the collapse of a seven-day cessation in December — when more than 100 Israeli hostages were freed — have been ongoing.

The current proposal marks the first time either side has shown willingness to consider a deal.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas has demanded the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners for every female Israeli soldier.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters on Tuesday that he was studying the proposal. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ leader, said in a statement he would visit Cairo to discuss the plan.

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Netanhayu Defiant

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war effort won’t end “with anything less than the achievement of all [Israeli] objectives.”

He added: “We will not withdraw the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we won't release thousands of terrorists. None of that is going to happen. What is going to happen? Total victory.”

Meanwhile, Israeli protesters took to the streets outside the Knesset parliament building on Wednesday, calling for the release of the hostages and for Netanyahu and his government to resign.

There was no potential timing on the proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal. Both sides would have to agree. The proposal may yet have to be redrafted several times before this could be achieved.

Yet, Washington sources, according the Wall Street Journal, said a deal was closer than at any time since the December ceasefire collapse.

Back in the war zone, the bombardment of Gaza continued on Wednesday. Israel said three of its soldiers had been killed in the past day, taking the total killed in its offensive in Gaza to 224.

The health ministry in Gaza, meanwhile, said that nearly 27,000 Palestinians had died since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

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