Hamas and Israel Agree on Three-Phased Ceasefire Deal with Prisoner Swap and Troop Withdrawals
Hamas announced a proposed three-phase ceasefire deal with Israel on Monday, which includes a 42-day truce, the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and partial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza with free movement for Palestinians.
However, an Israeli official rejected the deal due to softened terms.
The US is studying the Hamas response and will discuss it with Middle Eastern allies.
In the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, both parties agreed to a 42-day period to restore "sustainable calm" in Gaza, pushing permanent ceasefire discussions aside.
Israeli troops withdrew from most areas in Gaza, and Hamas released Israeli reservists and soldiers in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners.
In the third phase, the exchange of bodies would be completed, and reconstruction would begin under the supervision of Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations.
The complete blockade on the Gaza Strip would also end.