A Palestinian source revealed today (Sunday) two proposals submitted by the State of Qatar to Israel regarding the release of hostages in Gaza through the agreement of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The source, who requested to remain anonymous, told Xinhua News Agency that the first proposal stipulates the release of 53 children and women, the majority of whom are dual nationals, who are civilian hostages in Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire and the introduction of quantities of fuel into the Strip.

The source added that the second proposal stipulates that Hamas will release 87 hostages, in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons, a five-day ceasefire, and the entry of a larger amount of fuel.

The source added that Hamas is demanding that the deal be implemented in three installments, not all at once, due to the difficult situation on the ground, while Israel insists on releasing all mothers and children detained by Hamas at once.

The source reported that Israel conveyed to Qatar a message stating that it is possible to discuss additional days of calm in exchange for the release of more hostages, but Hamas has not yet decided on this matter.

The source pointed out that one of the obstacles hindering reaching an agreement is related to Hamas’ requirement that military aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft stop flying over the Gaza Strip during the days of the ceasefire so that it can arrange the field details within the framework of the hostage release, which Israel rejects.

This comes as the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, announced last night that it had lost contact with a number of groups charged with protecting Israeli prisoners as a result of its raids on the Gaza Strip, and that the fate of the prisoners is still unknown.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday during a press conference that no agreement has yet been reached with Hamas to release the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Hamas officials said that Netanyahu is trying to manipulate and delay efforts to reach an agreement.

Israel says that Hamas and other factions have been detaining about 240 people in Gaza, including foreigners, since the attack last October, while the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, say that the number of detainees in Gaza ranges between 200 and 250 people.