The Hamas ten-point proposal notes the following:

• Withdrawal of Israeli tanks from the Gaza border.
• Freeing all the prisoners that were arrested after the killing of the three youths.
• Lifting the siege and opening the border crossings to commerce and people.
• Establishing an international seaport and airport, which would be under U.N. supervision.
• Increasing the permitted fishing zone to 10 kilometers.
• Internationalizing the Rajah Crossing and placing it under the supervision of the U.N. and some Arab nations.
• International forces on the borders.
• Easing conditions for permits to pray at the Al-Aqua Mosque.
• Prohibition on Israeli interference in the reconciliation agreement
• Reestablishing an industrial zone and improvements in further economic development in the Gaza Strip.

The IAWM statement noted that the demands contained in the ten-point plan are in fact quite reasonable and represent what the UN and many NGOs have been calling for since the siege began after the 2006 election.

Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM said: "Much has been made of the fact that Hamas refused to accept the truce proposed by Egypt. Yet it is strange that western politicians and the western media have been so silent about the ten-point Hamas proposals. They are perfectly reasonable and would lead to an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on a solution that would make life much better for both the people of Gaza and Israel. None of these demands are new and the UN and NGOs have continually called for some of these including the lifting of the crippling siege."

He continued: "Accepting these proposals as a basis for negotiations does not in any way represent a de-facto support for Hamas or its military tactics. The fact is that they are very reasonable demands. UNWRA spokesmen, the head of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and even many media reporters in Gaza have all noted this week that the situation in Gaza cannot go back to the status quo. Life was intolerable before this recent Israeli onslaught, now it is a living hell. The Irish Government should support a ceasefire and negotiations on the basis of these ten points instead of staying silent like it disgracefully did at the UN vote on an enquiry this week. One has to wonder how many more Palestinian women and children need to be killed or injured before Israel and western Governments come to their senses and stop this slaughter."

More on the Hamas proposal can be read here - http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/deafening-silence-proposal.html