Qatari mediators have proposed a draft plan to Israel and Hamas aimed at halting hostilities in the Gaza Strip and facilitating a hostage swap as a first step toward ending the 15-month-old conflict. The proposal comes after breakthrough talks in Doha, with an agreement potentially nearing completion just a week before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
According to officials, the plan includes a phased return of hostages, starting with 33 individuals—women, children, men over 50, and the wounded. Israel believes most of the hostages are alive, though no official confirmation from Hamas has been provided. If the first stage succeeds, negotiations for the second phase will begin, aimed at releasing the remaining hostages, including soldiers and younger civilians, and returning the bodies of those who died.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long sentences for deadly attacks. However, Hamas fighters involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel will not be part of this exchange.
Regarding troop withdrawal, the process will be gradual, with Israeli forces remaining on the border to defend Israeli towns and villages. Security arrangements will be put in place along the Philadelphi corridor on Gaza’s southern border, and the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza will be partially opened to allow medical and humanitarian cases out of Gaza.
The plan also includes a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the population is facing a severe crisis. However, the amount of aid and the distribution have been contentious, with reports of looting by criminal gangs.
The future governance of Gaza remains unresolved. Israel has rejected Hamas and Palestinian Authority rule, insisting on retaining security control after the war ends. There have been discussions about a provisional administration involving Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. until a reformed Palestinian Authority can take charge.
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