In Israel, some hardline members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have also expressed opposition to the deal. But on Wednesday, Gideon Shaar, Israel’s foreign minister, said he believed a majority would sign off on a deal if it came to a cabinet vote.
Months of bus diplomacy have failed to end the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 hostages. Some 105 captives were later released in a week-long ceasefire in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel and Hamas have since held several rounds of indirect talks, which eventually collapsed amid mutual recriminations. Officials with knowledge of the negotiations expressed cautious optimism while noting that there is always a chance that the talks will be grounded.
The current deal is broadly similar to a three-phase cease-fire framework unveiled by President Biden in late May, according to several officials familiar with the talks. On Wednesday, Yossi Fuchs, secretary of the Cabinet of Mr. Netanyahu, posted on X that the latest proposal was the same as the one in May.
Under the May proposal, Israel and Hamas would first observe a six-week truce in which Hamas would release female, elderly and sick hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and the entry of 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. aid Gaza daily.
The proposal also calls for Hamas to release three female hostages on the first day of the deal, four more on the seventh day and 26 more over the next five weeks, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Times. At the same time, Israel would have to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the first six weeks.
At least 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents will also be brought into Gaza during the initial phase.
Under the second phase of the deal, Israel and Hamas would declare a “permanent cessation of hostilities,” Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, and the remaining living hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. But the details have been a major point of contention: For months, Hamas has demanded that Israel commit to ending the war, which Israel has resisted.
Abu Bakr Bashir contributed to the report.
