Ceasefire talks with Israel, Hamas expected to resume today

CAIRO — Stalled talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war are expected to resume in earnest in Qatar today, according to Egyptian officials.

The talks would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders join the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan last week.

International mediators had hoped to secure a six-week truce before Ramadan started, but Hamas refused any deal that wouldn’t lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a demand Israel rejected outright.

But both sides have made moves in recent days aimed at getting the talkback on track.

Hamas gave mediators a new proposal for a three-stage plan that would end the fighting, according to two Egyptian officials, one who is involved in the talks.

The first stage would be a six-week ceasefire that would see the release of 35 hostages — women, those who are ill and older people — held by militants in Gaza in exchange for 350 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Hamas would also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 prisoners, including some serving long sentences on terror charges, for each soldier. Israeli forces would withdraw from two main roads in Gaza, let displaced Palestinians return to northern Gaza, and allow the free flow of aid to the area, the officials said.

Nearly one in three children under two years old in the isolated north have acute malnutrition, the UN children’s agency said Saturday.

In the second phase, the two sides would declare a permanent ceasefire and Hamas would free the remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners, the officials said.

In the third phase, Hamas would hand over the bodies it’s holding in exchange for Israel lifting the blockade of Gaza and allowing reconstruction to start, the officials said.

Talks were expected to resume this afternoon, though they could get pushed to Monday, the Egyptian officials said.