A new single-stage deal that would involve a ceasefire, hostage agreement and the exile of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar from Gaza is allegedly being negotiated, according to an Israeli media report on Thursday.
Israel’s KAN News said that the proposal includes the release of all Israeli captives in Gaza in one batch in exchange for safe passage for Sinwar and anyone who wishes to accompany him out of the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal also includes the disarmament of Gaza, the implementation of a new governance mechanism, and an end to the war.
None of the details have been officially verified by any of the negotiating parties, but Israeli newspaper Maariv reports that the deal has been presented to US President Joe Biden.
However, according to KAN, Israel’s Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons Affairs, Gal Hirsch, met with several families of the Israeli detainees and briefed them on the new proposal. Hirsch mentioned during the meeting that the proposal was presented in his discussions last week with US officials at the White House and the State Department.
The outlet cited sources who met with Hirsch, who were not named, stating that the proposal is called the "Safe Passage Deal".
An Israeli security sources speaking to KAN stated; “Due to difficulties in negotiations and the ticking clock regarding the abductees' lives, we wish to propose a ‘secondary plan’ that would shorten the stages and allow for a faster agreement. This will happen if Sinwar leaves and ends the war. It will also help us achieve the goals of the war while enabling the Hamas leadership in Gaza to leave safely."
It is not known if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed off on the deal and so far media reports have emphasised enthusiasm for the proposal from only Egypt and the US.
However, speaking to The New Arab’s Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, senior Hamas figure Jihad Taha said the group rejects any deal other than the group’s 2 July response to Joe Biden’s 30 May deal, which would see a phased release of hostages and a return of all hostages held in Gaza.
Israel has rejected this plan, with Netanyahu insisting that Israel must continue to occupy the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza — a demand that many believe is a device being used to prolong the war.
"We do not need new proposals or deals that serve’s [Israel’s] agenda, its criminal projects, and the continuation of its aggression," Taha stated on the alleged new plan.
Taha also dismissed the claims being promoted by the occupation about Hamas leaders leaving Gaza, stating, "This has no place in the agenda of Hamas, our people, or our brave resistance."
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan, in earlier remarks, commented that the Hirsch’s comments about Sinwar leaving Gaza are "part of Zionist propaganda".
"Our people have made sacrifices not just for the safe exit of one individual. No one in Hamas accepts such talk," he said.
"We want to liberate our land, not leave it."