Palestinian Islamist group Hamas 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 Israeli troops from Gaza and a return of displaced Palestinians.
\nIt also demanded what it called \u201ca real exchange of prisoners\u201d, referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
\nThere was no immediate comment from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
\nHamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States in mid-March that included the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.
\nThe United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after the United States abstained from the vote, sparking a spat with its ally Israel.
\nThe remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution \u2013 proposed by the 10 elected members of the body \u2013 that also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. There was applause in the council chamber after the vote.
\nEgypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has the population in Gaza at risk of famine.
\nHamas 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 Israeli prisons, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli \u201cfemale recruits\u201d is included.
\nNetanyahu\u2019s office later responded to Hamas\u2019 proposal saying it was based on \u201cunrealistic demands,\u201d vowing to press ahead with its ground offensive until it eliminates Hamas.
\n(Reuters)ceasefire. ceasefire proposal, release of prisoners, Israeli hostages<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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