Hamas studying proposal for six-week pause but sees no deal without Israeli withdrawal
Hamas is studying a proposal drafted in Paris that will offer Palestinians in Gaza six weeks of respite from fighting in exchange for the release of Israelis held captive as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
The head of Hamas's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said in a statement on Tuesday that the group was in the "process of studying it and submitting its response on the basis that the priority is to stop the aggression."
Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, said Hamas was open to any "serious" initiatives provided they led to a "comprehensive cessation" of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
His comments came after officials from Qatar, Egypt and the US met Israeli intelligence chiefs in Paris this weekend to discuss the release of some 136 Israelis held captive in Gaza.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Hamas would release elderly captives, along with women and children in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during an initial period of six weeks.