A senior Hamas official detailed the different phases of the proposed agreement signed on Monday, May 6, while Israel announced that it was “examining” it.
The truce proposal in the Gaza Strip accepted by Hamas includes three phases with the objective of a lasting ceasefire, a senior official of the Palestinian Islamist movement told Al-Jazeera on Monday, May 6.
It comprises three phases, each lasting 42 days, and includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced and an exchange of hostages still held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, in the goal of a “permanent ceasefire”, Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatari channel.
“Far from requirements”
In response, Israel announced Monday evening that it would soon send a delegation to the mediators, while continuing its operations in Rafah to “exert military pressure” on the Palestinian movement.
“Israel will send a delegation (…) to mediation to exhaust the possibilities of reaching an agreement” on a truce, “even if Hamas’ proposals are far from the essential demands” of Israel, indicated the Prime Minister’s office Benjamin Netanyahu in a press release.
He added that “the war cabinet decided to continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas.”
After Hamas’ announcement, the Israeli army carried out intense bombardments on the east of the crowded town of Rafah, where residents had been urged to leave, according to AFP.
The evacuation should prepare the ground, according to Israel, for a ground military operation in Rafah, which is opposed by many countries, including the United States, Israel’s main ally, and international organizations.
