The Israeli war cabinet intends to discuss an Egyptian proposal that might potentially help release more hostages taken by Hamas militants in Gaza, media sources reported.
Egyptian Proposal
The Egyptian plan, which Hamas is alleged to have rejected, would end hostilities in Gaza, have Hamas give up control of the Strip in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, and free all remaining hostages in three stages.
Further, the proposal, which was presented to Israel, Hamas, the US, and European nations on Monday, calls for Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza, the release of all Hamas hostages and many Palestinian prisoners, and the formation of a united technocratic Palestinian government in the enclave.
The initial stage of the proposal would call for a two-week ceasefire, which could be extended to three or four weeks, in exchange for the release of 40 hostages, including women, minors, and older men, particularly those who are unwell.
In return, Israel would free 120 Palestinian security prisoners from the same demographic. During this time, hostilities would stop, Israeli tanks would leave Gaza, and humanitarian aid would be delivered.
The second phase would include an Egypt-sponsored “Palestinian national talk” aimed at bridging the divide between Palestinian factions and resulting in the formation of a government in the West Bank and Gaza to oversee the Strip’s reconstruction and pave the way for Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections.
The final stage would involve a complete ceasefire and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, including soldiers. During this phase, Israel would withdraw its forces from Gazan cities and allow displaced Gazans from the northern part of the enclave to return home.
Israel’s divided war cabinet to discuss Egypt's ceasefire proposal, while Hamas has reportedly rejected the suggestion of sharing power in Gaza https://t.co/I62nV6Ru04 pic.twitter.com/GA78y2OfhJ
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 25, 2023
Hamas Rejects Proposal
Hamas and its allied Islamic Jihad have allegedly rejected the proposal to relinquish power in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing Egyptian security sources.
“There can be no negotiations without a complete stop to the aggression,” Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said. “The Hamas leadership is aiming with all its might for a complete, not temporary, end to the aggression and massacres of our people,” he claimed, alluding to the more than 20,000 Palestinians killed during the 11-week war against Israel.
However, later, a Hamas official denied rejecting the Egyptian proposal.
Netanyahu’s Pre-requisites for Peace
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu outlined three “prerequisites for peace” in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) op-ed, namely, “destroy Hamas, demilitarize Gaza and deradicalize the whole of Palestinian society,” he claimed.
Netanyahu said, “First, Hamas, a key Iranian proxy, must be destroyed. The US, UK, France, Germany and many other countries support Israel’s intention to demolish the terror group.”
Second, Israel has to ensure that Gaza is “never again used as a base to attack Israel,” he stated.
“Among other things, this will require establishing a temporary security zone on the perimeter of Gaza and an inspection mechanism on the border between Gaza and Egypt that meets Israel’s security needs and prevents smuggling of weapons into the territory,” the Israeli leader added.
Third, Netanyahu asserted that Gaza must be deradicalized. “Schools must teach children to cherish life rather than death, and imams must cease to preach for the murder of Jews.” Palestinian civil society must be transformed so that its citizens support counter-terrorism rather than funding it, he argued.
In his concluding remarks, the Israeli PM said, “Once Hamas is destroyed, Gaza is demilitarized and Palestinian society begins a deradicalization process, Gaza can be rebuilt and the prospects of a broader peace in the Middle East will become a reality.”