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Al Jazeera

Hamas Rejects US Ceasefire Proposal, Seeks Revisions to Ensure Permanent Peace

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Despite the recent US-mediated ceasefire proposal, Palestinian group Hamas has expressed concerns over its terms, particularly the temporary nature of the pause and the lack of guarantees to end the war. The group has responded positively to the proposal but added key provisions to ensure a permanent ceasefire. The disagreements between Hamas and the US, facilitated by special envoy Steve Witkoff, have stalled the negotiations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hamas has responded positively to the latest US-proposed ceasefire but seeks revisions to ensure a permanent ceasefire, rather than a temporary pause.
  • The group has demanded a pathway to a permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the resumption of aid and assistance to the besieged area.
  • Hamas fears Israel will resume its bombing campaign upon the release of captives, as it did in March, and has called for staggering their release throughout the pause.
  • The group has reinserted a provision from the May 25 agreement for Hamas to hand over the governing of Gaza to an independent technocratic committee.
  • The US and Israel have agreed on the terms of the ceasefire, but Hamas's additions have stalled the negotiations.
  • Israel has criticized Hamas's response, condemning it as "totally unacceptable" and parroting the US envoy's statement.
  • Tamer Qarmout, an associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, has described the negotiations between Hamas and Israel as taking place with "no good faith whatsoever."
  • Israel continues to attack Gaza, with at least 31 people killed in southern and central Gaza on Sunday.

Statistics:

  • Over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since October 2023.
  • The total aid blockade since March has caused starvation and a famine-like situation in Gaza, home to 2.3 million people.
  • At least 31 people, including children and babies, were killed in Rafah and near the Netzarim Corridor on Sunday.
  • Israel has been bombing residential homes in Gaza relentlessly, with many being destroyed or damaged.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera
  • Al Jazeera News Live Blog
  • Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast)
  • Twitter
  • Saeed Qaq/Anadolu
  • Bashar Taleb/AFP
  • Haitham Imad/EPA
  • Drop Site News
  • Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
  • Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

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