THE Hamas presented mediators and the US with a proposal for a truce in the war in the Gaza Strip, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to the proposal seen by Reuters.

The Palestinian organization initially proposes to release women, children, the elderly and the sick it is holding hostage in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded that Hamas’ new proposal is based on “unrealistic demands.”

THE Egypt and Qatar seek common ground between Israel and Hamas to bring about a ceasefire in the sixth-month war that has caused a massive humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, with a quarter of the population at risk of starvation.

In February, Hamas received a draft proposal that emerged from the talks held in Paris to reach a truce. This called for a 40-day cessation of hostilities and a 10-for-1 exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages—matching that of the new proposal.

Israel had rejected that proposal as well, stressing that it did not intend to end the war unless it eliminated Hamas.

Under the new proposal, the Palestinian Authority would agree to a date for a full ceasefire after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners. The final date for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza will also be agreed after the first stage.

Hamas added that during a second stage of the plan, all prisoners and hostages from both sides would be released.

Late Thursday, Hamas said it had presented mediators with a comprehensive plan for a truce based on what it described as an end to Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, it foresees the provision of humanitarian aid to the residents of the enclave, the return of displaced residents to their homes and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

With the war now in its sixth month, the UN has warned that at least 576,000 Gazans are on the brink of starvation, while international pressure is mounting on Israel to allow more aid into the enclave.