New Hamas proposal: hostage release only after 42 days of 'calm'

Al-Jazeera TV reported that Hamas has presented a new plan to mediators for a potential deal with Israel involving the exchange of hostages and prisoners. The plan consists of three stages, with the release of kidnapped Israelis scheduled for the second stage.

According to Hamas' proposal, the first stage, lasting six weeks, involves the IDF ceasing hostilities and withdrawing troops from all populated areas to the border with Israel.

Hamas pledges to utilize this period of calm to locate all abducted individuals and gather information about them.

During the second stage, Hamas requests a complete withdrawal of IDF troops to Israeli territory, after which the prisoner exchange will commence.

Hamas demands the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners for every civilian captive and 50 prisoners, including 30 serving life sentences, for every female military member.

Additionally, Hamas calls for the reversal of recent stricter measures imposed on Palestinian prisoners.

In the third stage, the proposal suggests the return of military personnel and the bodies of those killed in exchange for lifting the blockade on the sector and initiating efforts for its reconstruction.