What’s in the three-phase ceasefire deal that Hamas backs, but Israel does not?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Displaced Palestinians travelling through Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, after fleeing Rafah ahead of a threatened Israeli assault.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
CAIRO - Palestinian Islamist group Hamas said on May 6 it had agreed to a three-phased deal for a ceasefire and hostages-for-prisoners swop, although an Israeli official said the deal was not acceptable to Israel because terms had been “softened”.
The US, which alongside Qatar and Egypt has played a mediation role in the talks, said it was studying the Hamas response and would discuss it with Middle East allies.
Based on details announced so far by Hamas officials and an official briefed on the talks, the deal that the Palestinian group said it had agreed to included the following:
Phase One
42-day ceasefire period
Hamas releases 33 Israeli hostages in return for Israel releasing Palestinians from Israeli jails.
Israel partially withdraws troops from Gaza and allows free movement of Palestinians from south to north Gaza.
Phase Two
Another 42-day period that features an agreement to restore a “sustainable calm” to Gaza, language that an official briefed on the talks said Hamas and Israel had agreed to in order to take discussion of a “permanent ceasefire” off the table.
The complete withdrawal of most Israeli troops from Gaza.
Hamas releases Israeli reservists and some soldiers in return for Israel releasing Palestinians from jail.
Phase Three
The completion of exchanging bodies and starting the implementation of reconstruction according to the plan overseen by Qatar, Egypt and the United Nations.
Ending the complete blockade on the Gaza Strip. REUTERS
