Washington Post: Israel and Hamas to establish an interim government

GAZA STRIP —Israel and Hamas Palestinian Movement have reportedly agreed on a plan to establish an interim government in Gaza.

Citing a U.S. official, the Washington Post stated Hamas have agreed to an interim governance plan that would begin with phase 2 of the truce, in which neither the Jewish state nor Hamas would govern Gaza.

According to the proposed agreement, the dispute will be resolved in three stages.

During the first stage of the agreement is a six-week truce, Israel and Hamas would begin negotiations on the terms of the second phase of the agreement.

Phase 1 would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, in addition to release of a specified number of hostages, including women, elderly and wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Phase 2 would include exchange for the release of all living hostages, including male Israeli servicemen.

The newspaper did not explain phase 3, but noted that U.S.-trained forces will be deployed in the Gaza Strip and it seems that the task of managing the area will be entrusted to them.