In a ceasefire proposal to mediators and other concerned countries, the inclusion of the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners has been presented by Hamas for Gaza. 100 of the said prisoners are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by the press.
Hamas noted that the release of Israeli “female recruits” women held in Gaza would initialize the process. And also, children, elderly and ill hostages would be in return for the release of 700-1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to the proposal.
While Israeli PM’s office said an update would be handed to the war cabinet and extended security cabinet on Friday, it vehemently states that the ceasefire proposals contains “unrealistic demands”.
Although, concerned regional neighbors and stakeholders, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine.
“We are talking about reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid,” says Egypt’s President. He said this in support of displaced Palestinians in the south and centre of the enclave to move to the north.