The first details emerge on the proposal presented by Hamas to the mediators of Qatar and Egypt relating to the truce with Israel.
According to international media reports, the hypothesis envisages an agreement in three phases, each lasting 42 days. In the first, women, children, elderly and sick people held hostage would be released in exchange for 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, of which 100 serving life sentences in Israeli prisons for the release of Israeli female soldiers. Hamas also stipulates a permanent ceasefire after the initial exchange of hostages and detainees. According to other sources, Hamas' proposal includes the immediate withdrawal of the IDF from two important arteries that cross the length of the Strip: al-Rashid (the coastal road) and Salah a-Din (which runs inland ).
Yesterday the first aid ship from Cyprus arrived on the coasts of the Strip - via a maritime corridor protected by Israel: it is the Spanish Open Arms which began unloading 200 tonnes of basic necessities from a temporary pier, mostly food and water, made available by the American World Central Kitchen.
But what is now taking center stage is the possible Israeli military operation in Rafah, in the south of the Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the plans of the army which is now working to prepare the evacuation of over a million displaced Palestinians amassed in the southernmost city of Gaza, before taking action.
(Unioneonline/ss)
