Hamas has tabled a proposition for a ceasefire in Gaza through intermediators, suggesting the first phase should involve the liberation of Israeli hostages including women, children, the aged and the unwell. They ask in return for the release of between 700 and 1000 Palestinian inmates.
Contained in the suggested releases are 100 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment in Israeli jails and the liberation of Israeli “female recruits”, as reported in a draft by Reuters. Hamas has proposed initiating a date for a definitive ceasefire once the first batch of hostages and captives have been swapped.
Following the initial phase, Hamas proposed that a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza would be settled. The Palestinian Islamist group announced that the complete release of detainee’s from both sides would take place in the second stage of this scheme.
In related events, the state-owned WAFA news agency announced on Thursday that Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has appointed his ally and renowned business figure, Mohammad Mustafa, as prime minister. The objective is to assist the reform of the Palestinian Authority (PA) which is currently under increasing pressure to rejuvenate the administrative body governing the occupied Palestinian territories and enhance its governance, particularly in the occupied West Bank where it is primarily based.
Despite his responsibility as the president, Mr. Abbas continues to hold the highest authority within the PA. However, appointing a new government demonstrates his readiness to respond to international demands for administrative changes.
Mr. Mustafa, known for spearheading the rebuilding of Gaza following earlier conflicts, has been tasked with leading the relief and reconstruction initiatives in the area, which has been ravaged by over five months of warfare. His role also extends to instituting reforms within the PA institutions, as per WAFA.
This appointment sees Mr. Mustafa replace preceding prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and his government who resigned in the month of February.
Established 30 years ago by an interim peace agreement known as the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority maintains limited governance in parts of the occupied West Bank. Many Palestinians are pining for this to be the nucleus of their future sovereign state.
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly contests its participation, the PA might also have a significant role in governing Gaza when the combat ceases.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), under the guidance of Mr Abbas and his political unit Fatah, has always had a taut affiliation with Hamas, the religious society ruling Gaza. Both parties engaged in a short war preceding Fatah’s eviction from the province in 2007. Yet, there has been recurring censure from the PA fro the Israeli incursion of the Strip, instigated by the assault on Israel led by Hamas on October 7th. The PA has declared its necessity to contribute in governing Gaza post-conflict. – Reuters
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