9/19/2024–|Last update: 9/19/202408:56 AM (Makkah Time)
Israeli radio said on Thursday that Tel Aviv is preparing a new proposal for an agreement on the Gaza Strip that it will present to mediators, stipulating the return of all detainees at once.
The radio reported that the Israeli proposal calls for the return of all detainees in exchange for the exit of Yahya Sinwar, head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and others from Gaza through a safe passage.
The proposal also calls for an end to the war and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli radio indicated that the new Israeli proposal may be presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly in a few days.
There was no immediate statement from Hamas regarding the leaked new Israeli proposal, but the movement has repeatedly stressed that it sees no reason for new proposals, especially since it agreed to the plan presented by US President Joe Biden before Netanyahu set new conditions.
demonstrations
This comes as the families of Israeli prisoners continue their demonstrations to demand a ceasefire agreement and an exchange deal. Tel Aviv Tribune’s correspondent reported that they went out today in Tel Aviv to demand the approval of the deal proposal on the negotiating table.
She also stressed the need to sign a prisoner exchange deal and not move towards a comprehensive war.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed yesterday – during a visit to Cairo – that the United States had made progress regarding the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken added that 15 of the 18 items in the proposed ceasefire agreement had been agreed upon, but the remaining issues needed to be resolved.
He stressed that Washington had put forward ideas to the Qatari and Egyptian sides in order to resolve the outstanding issues, but the agreement goes back to the issue of political intention, and the two parties to the conflict must prove political intention in order to reach an agreement that prepares for a ceasefire, returns the detainees to their homes, and opens important horizons for calming the hot spots, including northern Israel and the Red Sea.
He also considered that a ceasefire is the best way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and confront the risks of regional destabilization.
Regarding the Philadelphia axis, Blinken said that his country’s position on this axis separating Egypt and the Gaza Strip is that “we will not accept any change to the rules in effect before October 7,” as he put it.
Hamas commitment
In contrast, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati said – during a joint press conference with Blinken – that there is agreement in the Egyptian and American positions on the necessity of implementing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stopping the bloodshed of Palestinian civilians, stressing the need to quickly reach an agreement to release detainees in Gaza and bring in more aid.
He added that Hamas “assures us of its full commitment to the understandings that were previously reached,” and that his country continues to cooperate with the United States and Qatar to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
It is noteworthy that the rounds of indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and Hamas have been faltering for more than 10 months, due to Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing the war on the Strip, and his adherence to the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes in the south and center of the Strip, while Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of the displaced without restrictions.
Despite Israeli obstacles, Egypt’s mediation continues alongside Qatar and the United States to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and conclude a prisoner exchange between the two parties.