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EGYPT

Mediators present new ceasefire proposal to Hamas and Israel

Published:Wednesday | April 10, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Demonstrators call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, during a rally marking six months to the war, outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem, Sunday, April 7, 2024.
AP
Demonstrators call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, during a rally marking six months to the war, outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem, Sunday, April 7, 2024.

CAIRO (AP):

Egyptian officials said Tuesday that mediators have presented a new ceasefire proposal to Hamas and Israel that would include a six-week pause in fighting and a swap of 40 Hamas-held hostages for at least 700 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The proposal was presented to delegations from Hamas and Israel during the latest round of negotiations in Cairo over the weekend, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the negotiations.

Among the Palestinian prisoners to be freed would be dozens convicted of killing Israelis during attacks by militant groups.

The officials said Hamas would be required to provide a list of the hostages it will release, as well as a list of Palestinian prisoners whose freedom it seeks.

The proposal also includes the return of a significant number of Palestinians to northern Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled the northern half of Gaza in the early stages of the war, heeding Israeli evacuation orders. The vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are now crammed into the southern half.

The proposal stipulates that Israel gradually dismantle checkpoints it had built on a new road that split the strip in half to prevent the return of Palestinians to the north.

Hamas has said it is reviewing the proposal.