Israel's responses: Agreeing to a truce for 42 days without complete withdrawal

The latest Israeli response to the prisoner exchange agreement does not include, according to a Hamas source, a commitment to stop fighting and withdraw from all parts of the Gaza Strip.

According to what the Hebrew Channel 12 quoted the source as saying, Israel offered to release three prisoners for every Israeli kidnapped in the first round, in addition to a number of Palestinian prisoners with high sentences.

According to the Israeli response, the first truce will last 42 days, and the second truce will last 30 days. As for the third truce, the Israeli answer is not accurate during the cessation of fighting.

Israel proposed that the IDF withdraw only from densely populated areas, and also allow hospitals to be prepared for operation – but not to rebuild them. Israel also agreed to bring 500 trucks of supplies daily at the request of Hamas, as well as to bring caravans and tents into the Strip.

The Israeli response also says, according to the Hamas source, that it will be possible to evacuate 50 wounded per day from the Strip, as well as those aged 50 and over. The Israeli response stated that for the second phase, negotiations would be held regarding the number of those released - and promised that Israel would reconsider the possibility of allowing the displaced to return to their homes, but without committing to a complete withdrawal.

The channel said that negotiations will continue today in Cairo regarding the exchange deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu did not allow the negotiating teams to travel to Cairo to continue the talks. Those around Netanyahu made it clear that, according to his style, Hamas’ response to the Israeli terms of reference must be accepted, and the extent of their willingness to be flexible must be tested, and only then must they move forward.

The officials present at the talks gave their impressions and explained that there is room for progress. They asked Netanyahu to allow them to “exhaust the step,” but he refused. Sources involved in the process say that they “understand the political difficulty Netanyahu faces, but there is an opportunity that should not be missed.”