Palestinian movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad are engaged in discussions regarding an Egyptian-proposed plan to address the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"We refute reports suggesting that the Hamas and [Islamic] Jihad movements reject the Palestinian document (referring to Egypt's plan - TASS)," stated representatives of the Palestinian groups to the Al Hadath TV channel. "The document proposed by Egypt is the result of important and serious efforts and is currently undergoing substantial discussions," they added.
According to sources cited by Asharq News on December 24, Egypt has presented a three-phase plan to Israel and Hamas to resolve the conflict over the Gaza Strip. The plan includes a two-week humanitarian truce with the possibility of extension, an exchange of hostages and prisoners, cessation of hostilities by Israel, withdrawal of tanks, and ensuring additional humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The second phase involves initiating a Palestinian National Dialogue to bridge the divide in Palestinian leadership and form a technocrat government. The third stage comprises a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, and the release of Israeli military personnel held by radicals.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have expressed openness to Egypt's role as a mediator and have acknowledged Qatar's efforts to end the conflict.
Additionally, Reuters reported that Egypt has allegedly proposed a Gaza settlement option, including a ceasefire in exchange for the release of a large number of hostages held inside the enclave. This move could facilitate a broader agreement between the conflicting parties, including a ceasefire. According to the agency, Cairo has purportedly offered to hold elections in Gaza and guarantee Hamas that its supporters would not face harassment or trial. However, Hamas spokesman Izzat al-Rishq stated that the movement's leadership had no knowledge of the details mentioned in the Reuters report.
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Photo: Al Jazeera English/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS