The 135-day proposal for a Gaza truce explained

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the latest ceasefire and hostage return proposal from Hamas in the Gaza Strip. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there is still hope. The offer from Hamas included a 4 1/2 month ceasefire period, the release of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and negotiations for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

The plan was mediated by Qatar and Egypt

Hamas presented a multi-stage truce plan with Israel in Gaza, sparking optimism for an eventual resolution to the prolonged conflict that has endured for 124 days, marked by relentless bombardment and a ground invasion on the strip.

The proposal is a response to initiatives put forth by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, who have engaged in high-level diplomatic negotiations with Israel and the United States. These concerted efforts aimed to bring about an end to the protracted hostilities.

The plan has three 45 days parts

According to the proposed three-stage truce process, each phase is slated to last 45 days. In the initial stage, Hamas envisions the release of all Israeli female captives taken hostage on October 7, as well as the liberation of male captives under 19 years of age who are not affiliated with or conscripted into the Israeli armed forces. Additionally, the elderly and the sick fall within the criteria for release during this phase. The exact number of captives meeting these specifications, among the over 100 still alive, remains unclear.

In reciprocation for these releases, Hamas calls for the liberation of 1,500 Palestinians currently held in Israeli jails, with a specific focus on women, children, the elderly, and individuals serving life sentences. As of October 2023, approximately 5,200 Palestinians were incarcerated in Israeli prisons, including 33 children and 170 women. Hamas also wants the release of 500 prisoners serving life sentences or extended terms.

The truce proposal includes humanitarian provisions, such as the daily allowance of at least 500 humanitarian aid and fuel trucks into Gaza. Hamas also requests the provision of 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents. The displaced Palestinians in Gaza must be afforded the opportunity to freely return to their homes without encountering barriers during the tenure of the temporary truce. The financing for these homes and tents is not specified by Hamas.

In the subsequent phase of the proposed truce, lasting 45 days, Hamas plans to release all remaining male Israeli captives. In return, Israel is expected to withdraw its troops from all areas of Gaza. During this period, Hamas declared the imperative of allowing further humanitarian aid into Gaza, alongside the commencement of the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

Before proceeding to the next stage, talks regarding the prerequisites for a “complete truce” and a return to “a state of calm” must be mutually agreed upon.

In the third and final stage, Hamas proposes the joint release of bodies or remains, following due identification processes. The humanitarian measures agreed upon in the preceding stages are expected to persist.

Hamas wants international guarantors for the implementation

Hamas has expressed the desire for Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Turkey, and Russia to act as “guarantors” to ensure the correct implementation of the deal’s terms if approved. Despite this, the group asserts that it is unwilling to negotiate on the terms of the proposal, deeming them non-negotiable.

The U.S. President Joe Biden has characterized the proposal as “a little over the top,” but Secretary of State Antony Blinken is engaged in efforts to persuade Israeli leaders to accept the truce, even if they already rejected it.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has described the Hamas proposal as “generally positive,” while Egyptian officials note the flexibility demonstrated by Hamas. Saudi Arabia, although not directly involved in the negotiations, has called for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with an East Jerusalem capital, conditioning recognition of Israel’s statehood and normalization of relations on this outcome.

A new round of negotiations on reaching a ceasefire already kicked off in Cairo. Last November, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States mediated a temporary truce lasting for a week between Israel and Hamas, during which dozens of Israeli and Palestinian detainees were exchanged.

Israeli public opinion is favouring the continuation of the war.