JerusalemU.S. President Donald Trump, who has been advocating for a ceasefire that may end the 21-month conflict in Gaza, will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday.
A fresh ceasefire proposal supported by the United States is being discussed by Israel and Hamas. It would halt the conflict, release Israeli hostages, and flood Gaza with much needed aid. It also seeks to start more extensive discussions on resolving the problem.
Since Israel wants Hamas to disarm and surrender before it ends the war, negotiations have repeatedly deadlocked over Hamas’ demands for an end to the conflict and Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza.
Although the parties have not yet agreed on the final terms, The Associated Press was able to get a copy of the mediators’ proposals that were given to Hamas.
According to that proposal, the truce would look like this:
There would be a 60-day truce.
Throughout the truce, the remains of 18 captives and 10 living hostages would be released in stages.
Although the exact number was not disclosed, Israel would free Palestinian inmates in return for the hostages.
The United Nations would distribute humanitarian aid and greatly increase its flow into Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by Israel and the United States, is not mentioned in the proposal.
Israeli troops would move to a buffer zone that runs parallel to Gaza’s borders with Egypt and Israel. Since a last ceasefire ended in March, Israel has taken control of substantial portions of the region.
There is no timeframe specified, but it is anticipated that the parties will start talks to end the war on the first day of the truce.
To ensure that the parties negotiate in good faith, the mediators—Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—will act as guarantors.
According to the idea, Trump is adamant that the negotiations during the truce will result in a lasting settlement of the war, even though there is no assurance that it will finish.
The truce may be prolonged if, after 60 days, the war-ending negotiations are still ongoing.
According to the concept, once the ceasefire agreement is struck, Trump will personally announce it.
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Keep up with the war’s developments: https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
