A proposed ceasefire plan from Hamas outlines a three-stage process aimed at ending the fighting and securing the release of hostages taken on October 7. The framework envisions an orderly sequence starting with the rescue of captives and culminating in a broader return to ordinary life, though many details remain to be negotiated by mediators and the involved parties.
Each stage is designed to unfold over a 45 day period, beginning with the release of a defined group of hostages. In the initial phase, priority releases would include women and children under 19 who are not part of the military, along with elderly and seriously ill captives. In return, a specified number of Palestinian prisoners would be freed. This opening gesture is meant to create momentum for subsequent steps and to establish trust between the negotiating sides, according to the draft shared with mediators on Tuesday night.
The Israeli administration, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed receipt of Hamas’s response to the ceasefire framework proposed by Qatar, the principal mediator in the talks. Washington affirmed that Hamas’s counteroffer appeared to be somewhat amplified in tone, although officials did not disclose the contents of the reply.
In the first phase, Hamas calls for the withdrawal of Israeli air support from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip to reduce immediate danger to civilians. The plan also seeks increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, the restoration of essential services, and the start of hospital and housing reconstruction. Temporary camps would be established to manage displaced populations while longer-term arrangements are considered.
In exchange for these steps, the draft envisions a framework for indirect discussions that could eventually end the current war and return the region to a new order of stability and peace. This outcome, described as a comprehensive peace in some formulations, marks a long-standing goal that Israel has historically resisted conceding within the scope of such negotiations.
Palestinian prisoners
The second phase would involve the release of all kidnapped men in exchange for an undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, coupled with the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territories. This stage expands the exchange beyond the initial subset of captives and aims to address broader prisoner issues as part of the deal.
The third phase envisions reciprocal exchanges that would handle the remains of hostages and other captured individuals who have died. These arrangements would reflect a mutual effort to reconcile the past and bring closure for families on both sides, as negotiations continue toward a broader settlement.
Late on the previous evening, Hamas representatives stated they were responding to the draft in a positive spirit. Yet, officials cautioned that many parameters remaining under negotiation had not been publicly detailed, and the final content of the agreement remained unclear at that time.