CAIRO: Palestinian group Hamas said on Monday it has informed mediators that it will stick to its original stance on achieving comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a return of displaced Palestinians.
It also sought actual exchange of prisoners while referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
Hamas gave a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States in mid of March which included the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for release of Palestinian prisoners.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after the United States abstained from voting.
The remaining 14 council members voted in favor of the resolution proposed by the ten elected members of the body. The resolution also called for unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.
Egypt and Qatar have been trying to bridge the differences between Israel and Hamas over the ceasefire as worsening humanitarian crisis has put the population of Gaza at risk of famine.
Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include children, women, elderly and ill hostages in return for the release of 700-1000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The release of Israeli female recruits is also part of the proposal.
Netanyahu’s office while responding the proposal of Hamas said it was based on unrealistic demands, vowing to go ahead with its ground offensive in Rafah to eliminate Hamas.
Since October 7, Israel’s air and ground offensive into Gaza has resulted in the killing of at least 32,333 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and 74,694 injuries, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
