What are Hamas’ reservations on the mediators' ceasefire proposal?
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The proposal is made up of three stages, each stage lasting for 42 days.
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Masked Palestinian Resistance fighters from Hamas in Gaza City, Sunday, December 14, 2014. (AP)
Exclusive sources within the Palestinian Resistance revealed to Al Mayadeen on April 10 detailed points of the mediators' proposal presented to the Hamas Movement, clarifying the movement's position on it as well.
No specified numbers mentioned for the return of the displaced
Hamas objected to the issue of the gradual return of the displaced, as the first phase entails the gradual return of displaced civilians to the northern Gaza Strip, with no specified numbers mentioned, while acknowledging that the previous proposal entailed the return of 2,000 displaced individuals per day.
'Outside densely populated areas' vague term, risks buffer zone
The proposal also suggests that Israeli forces relocate themselves from "densely populated areas" to locations designated by "Israel" on a map. But Hamas rejected this proposal, deeming the term "outside densely populated areas" as vague, which would grant "Israel" the authority to control these areas and establish a "buffer zone".
From Salah al-Din, al-Rashid Street to outside the borders
Hamas rejected the part stipulating "Israel's" approval of opening al-Rashid and Salah al-Din Streets, with Israeli forces stationed 500 meters away from them, and instead demanded a withdrawal to Salah al-Din Street and a withdrawal from al-Rashid Street. They proposed that Israeli forces be stationed at the "Netzarim" junction as part of the first stage. However, they emphasized that at the end of this stage, all forces must withdraw outside the border.
On the captives
Regarding the Israeli captives, according to the sources, the first issue is that "Israel" demanded the release of 40 captives. But if there are not enough children, women, and elderly individuals among them, then it insists on the release of male captives to reach the demanded number of captives; i.e. 40. Hamas rejected this condition.
The second is that the proposal includes the right of “Israel” to deport whoever it wishes from among life-sentenced prisoners, which Hamas also rejected.
'Sustainable calm' unclear term, no specifications
The sources revealed to Al Mayadeen that the agreement between the two sides includes "the release of all Israeli captives and a return to sustainable calm." However, Hamas considered the term "sustainable calm" to be unclear.
They also emphasized that the second stage did not include any information regarding a ceasefire or a complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces and did not specify the number of Palestinian detainees to be released.
