The militant group Hamas has put forward a three-stage ceasefire proposal to halt nearly five months of deadly fighting with Israel in Gaza. The plan envisions a gradual truce process resulting in a permanent end to hostilities after repeated failed diplomatic efforts.
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According to the draft seen by Reuters, Hamas’ counteroffer responds to an earlier ceasefire initiative backed by mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States. It lays out reciprocal phases, each lasting 45 days.
The first phase would trade the release of all Israeli female captives and males under 19 for Palestinian women and minors in Israeli prisons. Later stages see remaining hostages swapped for Palestinian prisoners on life sentences before ultimately exchanging bodies and reaching a final deal.
A truce would facilitate urgently needed reconstruction and humanitarian aid for Gaza’s crisis-stricken population, where vital supplies are scarce. Rights groups deplore the catastrophic situation faced by civilians under Israeli blockade policies.
Militants took over 1,200 Israeli hostages in a deadly October border attack, sparking Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza. Israeli strikes have killed over 27,500 Gazans, Gaza authorities report, with many more potentially dead under rubble.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on achieving total victory. But with limited gains, pressure for a mediated solution has grown despite internal opposition from Israeli hardliners.
Hamas expressed willingness to halt fire for over four months while confidence-building measures advance. But finalizing so far elusive terms to end decades of conflict permanently poses towering challenges.
With the humanitarian emergency intensifying, the phased truce could crucially allow immediate relief ahead of a long-term resolution. But previous deals have rapidly collapsed due to violence. Securing lasting peace will test if enemies exhausted by war have changed the calculus.
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