Hamas 'plan' for a five-year truce with Israel

An Israeli newspaper today reported that Hamas has drafted a plan for a five-year truce with Israel.

The daily Yediot Ahronot, Israel’s largest, obtained a copy of the document, which it said was put together by representatives of Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and European officials.

It calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, a release of prisoners, a resumption of economic ties and an Israeli withdrawal to an agreed-upon line in the West Bank.

The purpose of the document, Yediot Ahronot said, is to relieve an international financial boycott imposed on the Hamas-led Palestinian government to force it to recognise Israel and renounce violence.

The paper’s senior columnist, Nahum Barnea, who obtained the draft copy of the truce plan, played down its importance, saying it was intended to increase goodwill toward Hamas in Europe, and was unlikely ever to be implemented.