A ceasefire in Gaza seems increasingly close, but much remains to be done.
Talks about the release of all hostages between Israel and Hamas will start within 16 days after the first phase of the agreement, claims a Hamas source now. The extremist movement wants written guarantees that Israel will fulfill its promises.
During the stipulated ceasefire's first phase – which will last for six weeks – female, elderly, and injured hostages will be released.
During phase two, soldiers and men will also be included, announces a high-ranking source within the terrorist-stamped Hamas to Reuters, referring to the extremist movement's revised proposal for a ceasefire. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza will be released.
During the time before the proposal's second phase begins, a temporary ceasefire will apply, humanitarian aid will be given free passage, and Israeli forces will withdraw – as long as continued talks about the second phase's implementation are ongoing, according to the source.
News agency AP, which has similar information, describes the development as Hamas dropping one of its key demands, that of a complete end to the war from Israel's side.
Written guarantees
The movement, however, demands "written guarantees" from the mediators that Israel will continue to negotiate a permanent agreement with Hamas when the first phase has begun, reports AP, citing an Egyptian source and a source within Hamas.
The movement expects a swift Israeli response to its presented points, likely during Saturday, says another Hamas source to news agency AFP.
Negotiations next week
The Palestinian movement's counteroffer in the negotiations was submitted on Wednesday via mediating Egypt and Qatar.
We have presented certain demands that make it possible to achieve a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, said Basem Naim, a member of the political leadership in Hamas' so-called politburo, to CNN.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staff, direct negotiations about a ceasefire in Gaza will resume next week. The announcement came after an Israeli negotiating delegation, led by Mossad chief David Barnea, returned to Israel from Qatar on Friday.
