Gaza War: What is the 3-stage ceasefire Hamas has proposed to Israel?

Hamas has sent a counteroffer to the ceasefire deal proposed by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to halt the Gaza war that has entered its fifth month. The ceasefire plan by Hamas has proposed three phases each lasting 45 days. Hamas’ proposal for ceasefire Reuters, who said to have seen the draft document, mentioned that according to the proposal, Hamas terrorists will exchange Israeli hostages, captured by them on 7 October 2023, for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. During this time, the reconstruction of Gaza would commence, Israeli troops would withdraw completely and bodies as well as remains would be exchanged. Details of Hamas’ counteroffer for ceasefire Phase 1: In the first 45-day period, Hamas has proposed to release all Israeli women hostages, males under 19, the elderly and the sick. This would be done in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons Phase 2: During this period, the remaining male hostages would be released. Phase 3: During the last 45-day ceasefire, the remains would be exchanged. The proposal also said by the end of the third phase, Hamas would expect the sides to have reached an agreement on an end to the Israel-Hamas war. In an addendum to the proposal, Hamas said it wished for the release of 1,500 prisoners, a third of whom it wanted to select from a list of Palestinians handed life sentences by Israel. The truce in the war would also increase the flow of food as well as other aid to civilians in Gaza who are allegedly facing hunger and acute shortages of basic supplies. The terrorist group has been demanding 500 trucks of aid a day. Israel began its military office in Gaza after Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on 7 October last year. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed killed in Israel’s military campaign, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. With inputs from Reuters