Hamas accepts ceasefire; Israel intent on Rafah Ops
By IAR Desk
Hamas on Monday, May 6, agreed to the ceasefire plan hammered out in Cairo. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh intimated about this to leaders in Qatar, Iran, and Turkiye. Egypt and Qatar are said to have mediated the plan and approve of it. The US also approves of it. Israel, has, however, protested, saying there had been changes made to the original proposal which had not been communicated to it.
According to media reports, the propsal endorsed by Hamas calls for exchange of every captured female IDF soldier for 50 prisoners in the first phase of the agreement with Israel.
The document states: “Hamas releases all living female Israeli soldiers, and Israel releases 50 prisoners from its prisons (30 life sentences and 20 fixed-term prisoners) in exchange for every prisoner on the list provided by Hamas. Freed Israeli female soldiers.”
From the first day of this phase, an agreed number of injured military personnel (not less than 50) will be allowed to pass through the Rafah access checkpoint to receive medical assistance abroad,” the document states.
In addition, the agreement stipulates that the number of people willing to leave the Gaza Strip will increase, including the sick and wounded, due to the increased capacity of the Rafah Pass checkpoint on the border with Egypt.
“The Rafah access checkpoint will be expanded, exit restrictions will be lifted, and the movement of goods and trade will be implemented without restrictions,” the document said.
According to the document, the third phase, which will last for 42 days like the first two phases, includes the exchange of the remains and doebris of the dead on both sides and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip within 3-5 years. The draft calls for total cessation of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israel, however, has not accepted the proposal,which it said had changes inserted, which were not communicated to it. The main stumbling blocks remain the decision over hostage release and permanent ceasefire. It also says that Hamas acceptance of the propsal cameinorder to stave off Rafah operations. However, Israeli officials, albeit at a less senior level, have traveled to Cairo on Tuesday, to continue discussions.
Israeli troops seized the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, disrupting the flow of aid into the Strip. Hamas accused Israel of trying to “exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the Strip by closing” the crossing. Israel says its operations in Rafah is to destroy Hamas completely.
Following Hamas announcement of accepting the ceasefire deal, Palestinians in Rafah erupted in cheers.
In Israel, families of hostages held in Gaza urged the United States and other governments with citizens among the captives to pressure Israel to strike a deal with Hamas for their return.
