Hamas is considering in Paris a draft framework submitted by Israel, the United States, Qatar and Egypt for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza.
Palestinian groups have not yet officially commented on the proposal, which was put forward in the French capital several days ago following mediation negotiations. US President Joe Biden has suggested the fighting could stop within a week, but for now the conflict, which has killed nearly 30,000 people in the enclave, continues, with fighting continuing and 230 A large proportion of the population suffers from hunger.
The proposal envisages a six-week suspension of fighting, Al Jazeera Arabic reported, citing sources. This would allow the release of 40 Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in exchange for 400 Palestinians currently in Israeli prisons.
“These will include women, children, elderly men and people who may have medical conditions. It will include repositioning of Israeli forces,” said Al Jazeera’s Willem Marx, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem.
“This includes the suspension of aerial reconnaissance by the Israeli military for up to eight hours a day, something we witnessed during the previous series of prisoner exchanges. [last November] In particular, drones have been moved away from areas where prisoners could be released,” he said, adding that a significant increase in aid flows to Gaza was also part of the agreement.
Reuters quoted unnamed sources as saying Gaza's hospitals and bakeries would be repaired as part of the deal and up to 500 aid trucks would be allowed into the enclave daily.
The news agency also proposed that the framework would involve the gradual return of all displaced Palestinian civilians, except for men of military age, to the northern Gaza Strip and the redeployment of Israeli troops from populated areas within the enclave. It was reported that
Delegations from Israel and Hamas are reportedly in the Qatari capital Doha for further but separate negotiations.
Mediators reportedly hope to reach an agreement before the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is likely to begin on March 10.
“Ramadan is approaching, and the Israelis have agreed not to operate during Ramadan to give us time to rescue all the hostages,” Biden said in comments broadcast on U.S. television early Tuesday. There was,” he said.
Hamas has not yet officially commented, but sources reportedly told Reuters that Biden's comments about a cessation of fighting were “premature” and suggested that “there are still big gaps that need to be filled.” ing.
hunger
As fears of famine grow, there is an increasing need for an agreement that will allow humanitarian relief to accelerate.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power said Monday that Gaza needs more than 500 aid trucks per day, despite warnings from the United Nations that over the past week He said only about 85 cars have been accepted. “Devastating” results.
Hamas said on the same day that the failure to provide aid to Gaza was “a shame for humanity that history cannot erase” and accused the Biden administration of contributing to what the United Nations called a “man-made disaster.”
A month after the International Court of Justice's emergency ruling against Israel to stop acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, Hamas said the world was “witnessing an escalation of the occupation forces' crimes and violations.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that even if a deal is reached, it will only delay a looming ground invasion of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, which borders Egypt and is home to 1.4 million people. of Palestinians, the majority of whom are displaced.
Hostilities continued on Tuesday. The Israeli military claimed to have discovered weapons manufacturing facilities and rocket launchers in tunnels in Gaza City, as well as killing dozens of Hamas fighters in fighting in the enclave's center.
In parallel with efforts to reach an agreement on the Paris proposal, the United States has expressed support for diplomatic efforts to reach a “temporary ceasefire” agreement at the United Nations on an “urgent” basis, according to a copy seen by Al Jazeera's Rami Ayari. The aim is to pass the resolution.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in an interview Monday that she believes the U.S. “alternative resolution” is “more meaningful in supporting local efforts toward a temporary ceasefire.”
The new draft text was submitted after the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution submitted by Algeria last week. Thomas-Greenfield argued at the time that the Algerian resolution could interfere with ongoing ceasefire negotiations.