Ceasefire proposal for Israel–Hamas war (May 5)

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On May 5, 2024,[1] Egyptian and Qatari mediators put forward a ceasefire proposal during the Israel–Hamas war, involving the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for a release of some Palestinian prisoners and leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities. On May 6, Hamas accepted the proposal.[2] Israel disagreed with the proposal but said it would continue to negotiate.[2]

The proposal has three stages, each 42 days. Hamas would release 33 Israeli captives in the first stage, the remaining alive captives in the second stage,[3] and deceased Israeli captives in the third stage.[2] In exchange, Israel would release 30-50 Palestinians (starting with children and women) for every Israeli released.[4][3] During the first stage, Israel would have to allow "sufficient" quantities of humanitarian aid, allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and start to make a phased withdrawal from Gaza.[3] During the temporary ceasefire, talks would begin between both parties for a more permanent cessation of hostilities. In the final stage, Israel would lift the blockade of Gaza and in exchange Hamas would agree to not rebuild its military arsenal.[3]

Negotiations[edit]

Negotiations for a ceasefire had been on-going[when?], but neither side could come to an agreement. On May 2, Israel offered a ceasefire proposal; Hamas said it disagreed with three points in that proposal.[5] On May 4 and May 5, talks were hosted in Cairo, which were attended by Egyptians, Qataris, and a US delegation led by CIA director William Burns. Hamas also sent a delegation; the Americans don't directly talk to Hamas, but communicate their proposals through intermediaries.[6] Benjamin Netanyahu decided to not send an Israeli delegation.[5]

Previous negotiation had failed because Hamas sought a permanent end to the war, while Israel would only agree to a temporary ceasefire. The Egyptians and Qataris aimed to bridge this divide by separating the ceasefire into three phases, with negotiations for a "sustainable calm" happening only in the second phase.[6] The wording "sustainable calm" was crafted by the Americans so that Israel would not have to commit to a permanent ceasefire upfront.[6] The United States official hoped that the first 42 ceasefire would lead to something "more enduring".[6]

On May 6, John Kirby, an advisor to President Biden, confirmed that CIA Director William Burns had played a key role in the negotiations that brought about the proposal.[6][7]

Details of the proposal[edit]

The proposal is divided into three stages, each 42 days (six weeks) long. Its aims are the release of all Israeli captives – whether civilian or military, alive or deceased; release of some number of Palestinian prisoners; return of "sustainable calm"; and the end of Israeli occupation and siege of the Gaza Strip.

First stage[edit]

In this stage, Hamas would release 33 Israeli captives. It would start with releasing all living Israeli children (under 19), all living civilian women, all living elderly (over age 50) Israelis, and all living female Israeli soldiers.[1] In return, Israel would release 30 Palestinian children and women for every Israeli civilian released.[8] If the total number of alive children, women, elderly and female soldiers is less than 33, then it would make up for that difference by releasing deceased bodies of Israelis.[1]

Israel would have to allow the entry of "sufficient" quantities of humanitarian aid: 600 trucks per day, of which 300 are for the north.[8] Included in this are 50 fuel trucks "including the fuel necessary for operating the power plant, trade, and equipment needed for rubble removal, rehabilitation and operation of hospitals, health centres and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza Strip".[8]

Simultaneous to the captive exchanges, displaced unarmed[1] Palestinians shall be able to return to their homes in Gaza, and Israel would gradually withdraw from some (but not all) parts of the Gaza Strip.[8] Israel would not conduct military flights over for 10-12 hours per day.[3]

Second stage[edit]

In the second state, Hamas would release all remaining alive male Israelis, including both civilians and soldiers.[3] In return, Israel would release an agreed upon number of Palestinians prisoners. The prisoner exchanges would be conditioned on both parties agreeing to and announcing a "sustainable calm" and the withdrawal of remaining Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip.[3]

Third stage[edit]

In this stage, Hamas would release all the remains of deceased Israeli captives, in exchange for Israel releasing the remains of deceased Palestinian bodies that it holds.[1] Israel would end the Blockade of the Gaza Strip and Hamas would not rebuild its military capabilities.[3]

Supervision and guarantors[edit]

Under the proposal, activities in the Gaza Strip would be supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.[1]

The proposal and its provisions would be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt, the United States, and the United Nations. Hamas stated that they received promises that both Egypt and President Biden would guarantee the implementation of the deal.[6]

Reactions[edit]

After Hamas's acceptance of the proposal, crowds gathered to celebrate in Rafah, Gaza Strip.[9][10] On the Palestinian side the proposal was supported by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.[11] Ordinary Gazans expressed support for the proposal.[12]

In Israel, the families of Israeli captives held by Hamas called on the US to pressure Netanyahu into accepting the proposal.[13] Protests broke out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.[13] Protestors blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, demanding the government reach a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives.[14]

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the proposal was "far from meeting Israel's demands", but would send a delegation to Cairo to negotiate.[15]

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Hamas's acceptance of the proposal and hoped Israel will do the same.[16] French president Emmanuel Macron urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.[17] UAE's Foreign Minister Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan supported Egyptian-Qatari mediations and hoped the proposal would result in ending both the war and the suffering of Palestinians.[18]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Text of the Gaza ceasefire proposal approved by Hamas". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  2. ^ a b c "Hamas accepts Gaza cease-fire; Israel says it will continue talks but presses on with Rafah attacks". AP News. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Here's what's on the table for Israel and Hamas in the latest cease-fire plan". AP News. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  4. ^ Mednick, Sam. "Hamas accepts Gaza cease-fire; Israel says it will continue talks". AP News.
  5. ^ a b Greene, Richard Allen (2024-03-03). "Israel not sending delegation to Cairo for Gaza talks, Israeli official says". CNN. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Keating, Joshua (2024-05-08). "Israel and Hamas aren't that far apart in ceasefire talks. A deal will still be tough". Vox. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  7. ^ House, The White (2024-05-06). "Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby". The White House. Retrieved 2024-05-11. I think it's safe to conclude that that response came as a result or at the end of these continued discussions that Director Burns was part of.
  8. ^ a b c d "What's in the three-phase ceasefire deal Hamas backs, but Israel does not?". Reuters. May 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Celebrations erupt in Rafah as Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal for Gaza | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  10. ^ "Palestinians celebrate as Hamas accepts proposed cease-fire for Gaza Strip". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  11. ^ "Reaction to Hamas saying it accepted Gaza ceasefire proposal".
  12. ^ admin (2024-05-07). "'Sleeping without Fear' - Gazans React to Hamas' Acceptance of Ceasefire Proposal". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  13. ^ a b "Hostage families urge US, other countries to press Israel to reach deal with Hamas". 7 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Protesters briefly block Tel Aviv highway to demand deal freeing hostages in Gaza".
  15. ^ "Bowen: Netanyahu knows Hamas survival amounts to his own defeat". 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  16. ^ "Turkey's Erdogan welcomes Hamas accepting ceasefire, hopes Israel will do the same".
  17. ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Macron Urges Netanyahu To Reach Truce Deal With Hamas: France". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  18. ^ "UAE backs Qatari-Egyptian mediation for Gaza cease-fire". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
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