Hamas proposes 3-stage 135-day truce and hostage deal, leading to war’s end – reports

Hamas has proposed a ceasefire plan that would see a four-and-a-half-month truce during which hostages would be freed in three stages, and which would lead to an end to the war, in response to a proposed outline sent last week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators and backed by the United States and Israel.

A source close to the negotiations told Reuters that the Hamas counterproposal did not require a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire at the outset, but that an end to the war would have to be agreed on during the truce before the final hostages were freed.

According to a draft document seen by Reuters, the Hamas counterproposal envisions three phases, each lasting 45 days.

The full proposal would see terrorists release the remaining Israeli hostages they kidnapped on October 7, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel. The reconstruction of Gaza would begin, Israeli forces would withdraw completely, and bodies and remains would also be exchanged.

According to the Hamas counterproposal, women hostages, males under 19, the elderly and sick would be released during the first 45-day phase in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails. The proposal does not clearly state whether female soldiers are included in the first phase. READ MORE