North African Nation, Egypt has presented what is has described as an ambitious plan to end the ongoing war in Gaza with a ceasefire Africa Today News, New York reports.
The plan called for Israel to completely leave the Gaza Strip, the release of all Hamas hostages as well as a large number of Palestinian detainees, and the installation of a single, technocratic Palestinian government in the enclave. It was sent on Monday to the governments of Israel, Hamas, the US, and Europe.
Several rounds of prisoner and captive exchanges are part of the concept, which was prepared in collaboration with the Gulf state of Qatar, according to Bernard Smith of Al Jazeera in Tel Aviv.
In the first phase, Hamas would free all civilian captives in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners over a truce of 7-10 days.
During the second stage, Hamas would release all female Israeli soldiers in return for more Palestinian prisoners, taking place during another weeklong truce.
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In the final phase, the warring parties would engage in “a month of negotiations to discuss the release of all military personnel held by Hamas in exchange for a lot more [Palestinian] prisoners and Israel pulling back to Gaza’s borders”, said Smith.
Close to 8,000 Palestinians are held by Israel on security-related charges or convictions, according to Palestinian figures.
Throughout the ceasefire, Egypt would also lead talks to reunite Palestinian factions Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, who would then jointly appoint a government of experts to run the West Bank and Gaza, ahead of future elections, reports The Times of Israel.
The plan appears to be preliminary, and there are already suggestions that it could struggle to gain traction with either side.
Israel’s war cabinet was due to discuss the proposal yesterday, even as its military continued pounding Gaza over the Christmas holiday, killing at least 100 Palestinians within 12 hours.