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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Hamas seeks release of 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli servicewoman — report

The first phase should include the pullout of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including from the coast, so that displaced persons can return to their places of residence unhindered and get access to humanitarian assistance

CAIRO, March 15. /TASS/. Hamas wants 50 Palestinian prisoners released for every Israeli servicewoman it lets out of the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera television reported, citing Hamas sources.

Of every 50 prisoners that would be released, at least 30 should be people that are sentenced to life in prison in Israel. Hamas’ truce proposal comprises three phases, each of which would last 42 days, but the radicals would be ready to release Israeli soldiers only after a complete ceasefire is announced.

The first phase should include the pullout of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including from the coast, so that displaced persons can return to their places of residence unhindered and get access to humanitarian assistance. During the second phase, a ceasefire would be set, followed by the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. During the third phase, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin and the siege of the Palestinian enclave would end.

Hamas has not yet officially commented on this report.

Earlier on Friday, Reuters reported, citing a Hamas proposal, that as part of the first phase of the potential truce in the Gaza Strip the group is ready to release women, children, elderly and injured hostages, as well as Israeli servicewomen that were captured in the attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel would have to release between 700 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners that are held in the Jewish state’s prisons. The list of prisoners includes inmates that are serving life sentences. After the completion of the first phase, Hamas is proposing to agree on a date for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave. The second phase would include the release of all hostages.

Hamas said on Thursday that its representatives provided their vision of a future truce agreement in the Gaza Strip to mediators. As conditions, Hamas demands a complete pullout of Israeli forces from the enclave, supplies of humanitarian aid and the return of displaced persons to their places of permanent residence. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the demands as unrealistic.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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