Egypt has proposed a three-stage settlement plan in the Gaza Strip

ТАСС: The Egyptian authorities have proposed to Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas a plan for resolving the conflict over the Gaza Strip, consisting of three stages. This was reported by Asharq News, citing sources.

According to them, the first stage of the plan includes the introduction of a humanitarian truce in the Palestinian enclave for a period of two weeks with the possibility of extension. During the humanitarian pause, Hamas will have to release 40 Israeli hostages, including women and children, as well as the elderly. In exchange, Israel will release 120 Palestinian women and children held in Jewish state prisons, cease hostilities, withdraw tanks and provide additional supplies of food and medicine to the Gaza Strip.

The second stage involves the beginning of a Palestinian national dialogue with the mediation of Egypt to overcome the split in the Palestinian leadership and form a government of technocrats. According to the Egyptian side, the new government will deal with the provision of humanitarian aid and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and will also prepare the basis for holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Palestine.

At the third stage, it is planned to introduce a complete and comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In addition, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement and other groups operating in the enclave will release all Israeli military personnel. As part of the deal, the parties will determine the number of Palestinian prisoners who will be released by Israel, including those detained after October 7. The latest phase also involves the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the return of displaced persons to Gaza City and the northern areas of the enclave.

According to Ash-Sharq, the Hamas delegation, led by the head of the movement's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, returned from Cairo to Doha for consultations on Egypt's proposed settlement plan. Haniyeh arrived in Egypt on December 20 for talks on issues related to the release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages, the supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the future reconstruction of the enclave.