Mediators Propose Deal for Hamas Fighters in Rafah Area
Egyptian mediators suggest disarming and relocating Hamas fighters to resolve a risk to the month-old truce.
Mediators have proposed a deal to get Hamas fighters out of the Israeli-held Rafah area in Gaza.
According to two sources familiar with the talks, the proposal involves surrendering arms in exchange for safe passage to other areas of the enclave.
This move is seen as crucial to maintaining the month-old truce.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has stated that this deal involving some 200 fighters would serve as a test for a broader disarmament process across Gaza.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire on October 10, Rafah has witnessed attacks on Israeli forces attributed to Hamas, despite the group denying responsibility.
Egyptian mediators propose that, in exchange for safe passage, fighters should surrender their arms to Egypt and provide details of tunnels for destruction.
Neither Israel nor Hamas has publicly accepted these proposals as of now.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office did not respond immediately to comments, while a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza declined to comment.
The violence in Rafah led to some of the worst incidents since the ceasefire, resulting in three Israeli soldiers' deaths and dozens of Palestinian casualties due to retaliation.
The sources suggest that the Hamas fighters in Rafah, who have been out of contact since March, might be unaware of the ceasefire's existence.
One source added that removing these fighters serves the interest of maintaining the truce.
The exact number of Hamas fighters in Rafah remains unclear.
This proposal is part of a broader plan by US President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war.
As part of this plan, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and returned nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Israeli forces have withdrawn from western areas of Gaza controlled by Hamas.
The next phase involves establishing a technocratic Palestinian committee with international supervision and deploying an international security force.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that setting up this international security force would be completed within three weeks, paving the way for Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza.
This deal is seen as a crucial test of the broader disarmament process across Gaza.
Since the ceasefire, Hamas has also returned 22 out of 28 deceased hostages' bodies.
Israel accuses Hamas of delaying the process.
In contrast, Israel has released 285 Palestinian bodies to Gaza according to the territory's health ministry.
During the October 7 attacks, Hamas-led militants seized 251 hostages and killed another 1,200 people, as per Israeli tallies.
The retaliatory Israeli campaign has resulted in nearly 69,000 Palestinian deaths, including 241 since the ceasefire took effect.
According to two sources familiar with the talks, the proposal involves surrendering arms in exchange for safe passage to other areas of the enclave.
This move is seen as crucial to maintaining the month-old truce.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has stated that this deal involving some 200 fighters would serve as a test for a broader disarmament process across Gaza.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire on October 10, Rafah has witnessed attacks on Israeli forces attributed to Hamas, despite the group denying responsibility.
Egyptian mediators propose that, in exchange for safe passage, fighters should surrender their arms to Egypt and provide details of tunnels for destruction.
Neither Israel nor Hamas has publicly accepted these proposals as of now.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office did not respond immediately to comments, while a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza declined to comment.
The violence in Rafah led to some of the worst incidents since the ceasefire, resulting in three Israeli soldiers' deaths and dozens of Palestinian casualties due to retaliation.
The sources suggest that the Hamas fighters in Rafah, who have been out of contact since March, might be unaware of the ceasefire's existence.
One source added that removing these fighters serves the interest of maintaining the truce.
The exact number of Hamas fighters in Rafah remains unclear.
This proposal is part of a broader plan by US President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war.
As part of this plan, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and returned nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Israeli forces have withdrawn from western areas of Gaza controlled by Hamas.
The next phase involves establishing a technocratic Palestinian committee with international supervision and deploying an international security force.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that setting up this international security force would be completed within three weeks, paving the way for Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza.
This deal is seen as a crucial test of the broader disarmament process across Gaza.
Since the ceasefire, Hamas has also returned 22 out of 28 deceased hostages' bodies.
Israel accuses Hamas of delaying the process.
In contrast, Israel has released 285 Palestinian bodies to Gaza according to the territory's health ministry.
During the October 7 attacks, Hamas-led militants seized 251 hostages and killed another 1,200 people, as per Israeli tallies.
The retaliatory Israeli campaign has resulted in nearly 69,000 Palestinian deaths, including 241 since the ceasefire took effect.