Hamas demands Gaza pullout within a week of truce, also releasing hostage bodies initially
Sources in Hamas told Haaretz that this was ‘intended to ensure that Israel will not be able to evade all stages of the deal and return to fighting once all the hostages are released.’ Israel said Hamas’ response was tantamount to a rejection of the proposal itself
Hamas has demanded that the cease-fire agreement stipulate that Israel withdraw from all areas of the Gaza Strip in the first week of the deal’s implementation, and that if Israel does not do so, the release of hostages will be halted.
In a response given by Hamas to mediators on Wednesday, the group is seeking a complete cessation of fire from the Israeli army and the withdrawal of the IDF from population centers on the first day of the cease-fire. On the third day, Hamas seeks an Israeli withdrawal from the Salah a-Din road, which connects between both sides of the Strip and the coastal road.
In return, Hamas offers to release three hostages – both living and dead – every three days, totaling 33. Hamas opposes preconditioning the identities of prisoners that will be released in return as well as their distancing from Gaza, and demands that their release be based on the amount of time they have spent in Israeli prisons.
Sources in Hamas told Haaretz that “The amendments that were submitted are intended to ensure that the withdrawal and cease-fire be established in the first phase, and that Israel will not be able to evade the implementation of all stages of the deal and return to fighting once all the hostages are released.”
Hamas also demanded in its response that China, Russia and Turkey be guarantors of the deal.
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