What Is The Three-Phased Ceasefire Deal Accepted By Hamas Which Israel Said No To?

Hamas stated that it had accepted the Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal, but Israel denied the ceasefire deal as its terms had “far-reaching” conclusions that were unacceptable.

Displaced Palestinians arriving in Khan Yunis following Israeli army's orders to evacuate Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. ( Image Source :Getty )

After a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a three-phased ceasefire deal, in what seemed like a possible end to the seven-month-old war that has caused large-scale destruction and killed around 1,200 people, Israel on Monday denied having accepted the truce proposal, hours after Hamas said it accepted it.

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas stated on May 6 that it had agreed on the deal extended by mediators from Qatar and Egypt which included a three-phased deal on ceasefire and hostages-for-prisoners swap. However, an Israeli official said that the deal was not acceptable to Israel as its terms had been “softened” and included “far-reaching” conclusions that were unacceptable, news agency Reuters reported.

In a bid to put an end to the war, the United States along with Qatar and Egypt has played a crucial role in the mediation talks. Following Hamas' response, the US said it was analysing the response from Hamas and would further discuss it with the Middle East allies.

In a statement on Monday, Hamas stated that its chief Ismail Haniyeh had told Qatar's Prime Minister and Egypt's intelligence chief that it was accepting their truce proposal.

Last week, CIA Director Bill Burns travelled to Cairo and Doha to work with the Qataris on the language of the deal, to turn it into a workable basis for discussions with Israel.

Based on that draft, Israel will reportedly send a team of experts to join more talks in Cairo on Tuesday, CNN reported.

According to the details announced by the Hamas officials, the deal that the Palestinian group agreed to, included the following:

Phase One

The phase one of the proposed truce deal is a 42-day ceasefire period. During this period, Hamas agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages, specifically women, the elderly, children, and the sick, in return for Israel releasing its citizens that have been held hostage in Israeli jails. 

For every Israeli hostage released by Hamas, 30 Palestinian women and children will be released, and for every Israeli hostage over the age of 50, 30 Palestinian prisoners over the age of 50, CNN reported.

During the first phase, female Israeli Defence Forces soldiers are to be released. For every IDF women soldier released, Israel was to release 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 serving life sentences.

The agreement also stated that Hamas could include bodies of dead hostages to complete the 33 number.

Also, Israel would partially withdraw its troops from Gaza and permit free movement of Palestinians to north Gaza from south.

Phase Two

In the next phase of the deal, there is another 42-day period featuring an agreement in order to restore a "sustainable calm" in Gaza, and release the remaining hostages, including IDF male soldiers and civilian men.

The Reuters report stated that Israel and Hamas had agreed to take the “permanent ceasefire” discussion off the table. Hamas is also to release Israeli reservists and some soldiers in return for Israel releasing Palestinians from jail.

The second phase includes the complete withdrawal of most of the Israeli troops from the Gaza strip.

Phase Three

According to CNN, the third phase includes a three to five-year rebuilding plan in Gaza. The blockade on the Gaza Strip will also be ended completely.

There will also be a complete exchange of the remaining bodies and the implementation of reconstruction will be done according to the plan laid down by Qatar, Egypt and, the United Nations.

Meanwhile, an IDF spokesperson told the Guardian that it would continue to act in Gaza in an “operational manner” despite Hamas agreeing to the ceasefire deal.

Commenting on the ceasefire announcement, rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated: "We are exploring every single thing that we hear and we are exhausting the potential about negotiations and bringing back the hostages and that is our main mission, to bring them home as quickly as possible, but in parallel, we are continuing to act in an operational manner in the Gaza strip and we will continue to do so.”

Hamas’ acceptance of the three-phase deal came hours after Israel issued orders to evacuate some 1,00,000 Palestinians from eastern Rafah as part of its 90-day plan to invade Rafah, where around 1.4 million Palestinians are taking refuge.

Amidst this, the threat of an-out Israeli assault on Rafah still looms as the United States has pledged its commitment to stop Israel from proceeding with its plan.