Hamas tells mediators it will stick to original position on ceasefire

[Pelican Press 0]

****** tells mediators it will stick to original position on ceasefire

CAIRO (Reuters) -************ Islamist group ****** said on Monday it has informed mediators that it will stick to its original proposal on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of ******** troops from Gaza and a return of displaced Palestinians.

It also demanded what it called “a real exchange of prisoners”, referring to the release of ************ prisoners from ******** jails in exchange for ******** hostages being held in Gaza.

There was no immediate comment from the office of ******** Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

****** presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the ******* States in mid-March that included the release of ******** hostages in exchange for freedom for ************ prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.

The ******* Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire between ******* and ****** after the ******* States abstained from the vote, sparking a spat with its ally *******.

The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution – proposed by the 10 elected members of the body – that also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. There was applause in the council chamber after the vote.

Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between ******* and ****** over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has the population in Gaza at risk of famine.

****** said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly and ill hostages in return for the release of 700-1000 Palestinians held in ******** prisons, according to the proposal. The release of ******** “female recruits” is included.

Netanyahu’s office later responded to ******’ proposal saying it was based on “unrealistic demands,” vowing to press ahead with its ground offensive until it eliminates ******.

(Reporting by Adam Makary and Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Michael Georgy, Deepa Babington and Alistair Bell)

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************ prisoners,******,******** troops,Gaza,Benjamin Netanyahu
#****** #tells #mediators #stick #original #position #ceasefire

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