Palestinian source reveals to Al Mayadeen terms of new proposal
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A Palestinian source told Al Mayadeen that the new American ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal aligns with recent Israeli demands.
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Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on October 8, 2023. (AP)
A Palestinian source involved in the negotiations revealed to Al Mayadeen details of a new US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange, emphasizing that it “completely contradicts the agreement that both parties had previously accepted.”
According to the Palestinian source, the new American proposal "builds on the May framework but has been adjusted to accommodate and align with the latest Israeli conditions and demands."
The source further explained to Al Mayadeen that, regarding the ceasefire, the US proposal “does not call for a permanent ceasefire.” Instead, the ceasefire is being discussed as part of a second phase with a clearly defined time limit.
The source highlighted that the US proposal emphasizes that “unless Hamas agrees to the Israeli demands, the occupation will resume military operations in the second phase.”
He also stressed that the proposal "does not include a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," but rather "includes the ongoing occupation of the Philadelphi Axis while reducing the presence of the Israeli army," according to the Palestinian source.
The source added to Al Mayadeen that "it also includes the continued occupation of the Netzarim Junction, and monitoring and controlling the movement of people."
The source indicated that the US proposal "affirms Israel's right to refuse the release of at least 100 Palestinian prisoners and guarantees the deportation of a significant number of those released in the exchange deal outside of Palestine."
He explained that the proposal "gives the occupation the authority to veto 65 names out of 300 names of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment submitted by Hamas."
The proposal specifies that aid and relief to Gaza will only be provided with Hamas’s approval of all the terms. It also delays any discussions on reconstruction and lifting the siege until after the outcomes of the first phase are determined.
Hamas: Netanyahu fails to reach an agreement
On Sunday evening, according to a statement made by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, the movement has "acted with full responsibility" toward mediators in Qatar and Egypt and considered the proposals aimed at reaching an agreement to stop the aggression in Gaza and to conclude a captive agreement.
The movement reported that this was done to "spare the blood of our people and put an end to the genocide, ethnic cleansing. and brutal massacres" being waged on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation.
The movement also said it endorsed the mediators' plan in May welcomed Joe Biden's statement and the text of the UN Security Council resolution, and replied positively to the mediators' proposal on July 2, 2024.
After the trilateral statement, Hamas said it urged mediators to present a plan to implement the proposal so negotiations do not become a vicious cycle, referring to how it has been made clear that Netanyahu's stalling and adding obstacles to prolong the aggression and buy himself more time in power.
"After listening to the mediators regarding what transpired in the latest round of talks in Doha, it became clear to us once again that Netanyahu is still placing obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement, setting new conditions and demands aimed at thwarting the mediators' efforts and prolonging the war," the statement detailed.
Hamas detailed how the new proposal aligns with Netanyahu's conditions, particularly his refusal to a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim axis, the Rafah crossing, and the Philadelphia corridor."
Netanyahu set new conditions for the prisoner exchange and backed down on other commitments, which prevented the completion of the exchange deal.
The resistance movement held Netanyahu "fully responsible for the failure of the mediators' efforts, the obstruction of reaching an agreement, and full responsibility for the lives of his captives, who are exposed to the same danger as our people due to his continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip."
